A review of current clinically applied biomaterials for the femoral heads and acetabular cups of total hip prostheses (UHMWPE, CoCrMo alloys, alumina and zirkonium) in terms of their resistance to wear is presented. Further developments in metallic and ceramic materials over the last few years have now left UHMWPE as the weakest link in the prosthesis material chain. Alternative materials aimed at improving the tribological properties of the femoral head/acetabular head system are presented. New surface hardening and coating techniques for titanium alloys, polymer coatings, optimized UHMWPE, as well as various carbon-fibre-reinforced synthetic materials are described. The advantages, disadvantages and prospects of these materials are compared with those of standard materials and documented in experimental and clinical studies.