PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN ANDESIT PADA ALUMUNIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE TERHADAP KEKERASAN

Abstract

This study discusses the development of Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMC) with Al-Zn as the matrix and Andesite as the reinforcement, aiming to improve the material's hardness and reduce its density. The results indicate that the addition of andesite to AMC with a variation of Al-Zn-7.5% Andesite achieved a maximum hardness of 96.0 HRB. The testing results for the production of Andesite-reinforced AMC show an increase in material porosity from 0.0023% at the composition of Al-Zn-0% Andesite to 0.0068% at Al-Zn-7.5% Andesite, as previously calculated through True Density measurements conducted in this research. The significant role of zinc (Zn) in enhancing the interaction between the aluminium matrix and andesite particles contributes to the improvement of the mechanical strength and structural stability of AMC. This study highlights that the combination of andesite addition with the utilization of Zn effectively enhances the performance of AMC, making it suitable for engineering applications requiring materials with superior strength, durability, and stability. The practical implications of this research can be applied in the automotive, industrial, and construction sectors to produce technically and economically superior composite materials.