Dynamic ramp load/unload technology (or short: ramp load) is replacing contact start/stop technology in hard disk drives. Key reasons are superior shock performance and improved reliability. Ramp load adds a new part to the drive (the ramp) and a new interface (between ramp and suspension lift tab). Proper selection of the ramp material and specification of the ramp/tab interface are key to drive reliability. This talk will address the important issues and will present state-of-the art solutions, as well as an outlook on future developments. As with all in-drive materials, minimal chemical outgassing is required. After that, the most important criteria for the ramp material are low friction and wear, and adequate mechanical stability. Out of a large number of candidate materials, only two materials are primarily used in today's products: Teflon-filled liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and acetal homopolymer (POM). These two materials optimize the materials issues in different ways and have their unique application range. LCP excels at mechanical stability, while POM exhibits superior tribology. Surface roughness affects friction and wear and needs to be controlled for both sliding partners, but control is more crucial for the much harder stainless steel suspension lift tab. Current products employ both spherical and cylindrical lift tab shapes. The relative merits of both approaches will be discussed. Tribological and mechanical properties are so multi-faceted that a large portion of this talk will be devoted to presenting measurement techniques and key results. Other important properties such as electrostatic charging and cost will also be addressed.