The effects of temperature, sliding speed, and contact load on the tribological behavior of an α‐alumina ceramic sliding on the same material in water were investigated in the range from room temperature to 300°C under the corresponding saturated vapor pressures. The specific wear rate increased remarkably at elevated temperatures. The primary wear mechanisms in high‐temperature water are considered to be microfracture, promoted by the solution of grain boundary layers, and stress corrosion cracking. A film containing γ‐alumina particulates appeared on the worn surface with increasing sliding speed and increasing contact load in 300