Preparation and tribological properties of polyurethane/α-aluminum oxide hybrid films

This study focused on the preparation and tribological properties of polyurethane/α-aluminum oxide (PU/α-Al2O3) hybrid films. PU/α-Al2O3 hybrid films containing various nanoscaled α-Al2O3 contents were prepared by an effectively mechanical stirring method. The tribological properties of PU/α-Al2O3 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/α-Al2O3 hybrid film was increased as the α-Al2O3 content was increased. The abrasion resistance of the PU/α-Al2O3 hybrid film was significantly improved up to 27.4% by adding 2 wt.% nanoscaled α-Al2O3 particles. The surface morphologies of PU/α-Al2O3 hybrid films, before and after abrasion tests, were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For the loading of 2 wt.% α-Al2O3 particles, the SEM image of the worn surface of the PU/α-Al2O3 hybrid film showed much smoother than those of pure PU film and other PU/α-Al2O3 hybrid films.