Abstract
This study was aimed to investigate the influence of reinforcement content on the physical properties and wear behaviour of composite pure aluminium reinforced with palm shell activated carbon (PSAC). Pure aluminium was reinforced with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of PSAC and then compacted at 200MPa followed by sintering at 500 °C, for 2 hours. Quantitative analysis on dry sliding wear behaviour was investigated by means of pin-on-disk wear testing machine. Wear rates of the composite were determined at fixed applied load (10 N) and sliding velocity (150RPM). Optical micrograph showed that an increasing PSAC content has resulted in increasing of pores in the composites. The hardness and density decreased with the addition of PSAC content. They were reduced drastically when the amount of PSAC content more than 10 wt. %. The cumulative wear rate of the specimens was observed decreased when the amount of PSAC content less than 10 wt. % PSAC and increased when PSAC content more than 10 wt. %. The optimum content of PSAC was found to be 10 wt. % in order to achieve optimum wear resistance

Key words
dry sliding wear, aluminium matrix composite, Pin-on-Disc, Palm Shell Activated Carbon

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