This study focused on the preparation and tribological properties of polyurethane/alpha-aluminum oxide (PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3)) hybrid films. PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid films containing various nanoscaled alpha-Al(2)O(3) contents were prepared by an effectively mechanical stirring method. The tribological properties of PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid films were investigated by a TABER type abrasion tester after 2000 cycles. The results of abrasion tests showed the abrasion resistance of the PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid film was increased as the alpha-Al(2)O(3) content was increased. The abrasion resistance of the PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid film was significantly improved up to 27.4% by adding 2 wt.% nanoscaled alpha-Al(2)O(3) particles. The surface morphologies of PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid films, before and after abrasion tests, were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the loading of 2 wt.% alpha-Al(2)O(3) particles, the SEM image of the worn surface of the PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid film showed much smoother than those of pure PU film and other PU/alpha-Al(2)O(3) hybrid films. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.