A new processing route for producing ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposite combining swelling in toluene, microextrusion, and compression-molding was developed. Using this novel method, extruded neat UHMWPE (e-PE), and extruded UHMWPE blended with 0.5 wt % of graphite nanoplatelets (e-PE/g) were processed. UHMWPE was also processed by compression-molding (PE) as reference material. Bulk mechanical behavior of the materials was evaluated by tensile, bending and impact tests, while surface mechanical behavior was assessed by scratch and sliding wear experiments. We found that e-PE/g has a brittle tensile behavior in comparison with the two other grades. Bending and impact toughness increase in this order: PE % e-PE/g < e-PE. Scratch behavior of the materials is quite similar, e-PE has however the lowest friction coefficient, and hence, exhibits antifriction properties. The cumulative sliding energy increases in this Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 125: 4316-4325, 2012