This study focuses on the preparation of an organic-inorganic ultraviolet (UV) curable coating containing the nanoscale alpha-aluminum oxide (alpha-Al2O3) powder and UV curable resin. This developed coating can form a protection film on the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastic tile surface. Thus, the abrasion resistance of the PVC plastic tile surface is improved. Besides, the adhesion between this UV cured film and the PVC plastic tile surface is well. After treatment with the UV curable coating that contains 6 wt % alpha-Al2O3, the abrasion resistance of the PVC plastic tile surface can be improved up to 57%. From the result of a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) mapping photograph, it shows that the nanoscale alpha-Al2O3 powder is well dispersed in the cured coating film. Under the wavelength of the visible light in the range of 400800 run, the degree of transparency for the coated film on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet is about 82-90%. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.