Pengaruh Variasi Pemukulan Pada Proses Mini Hot Forging terhadap Karakteristik Paduan (90Cu-10Ni) – 5 wt. % W Berbasis Serbuk

Abstract

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a non-conventional machining method that uses electrical energy discharge to shape or cut materials with a high degree of precision. In this study, EDM electrodes were fabricated using an alloy of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and tungsten (W) through a powder metallurgy method followed by a mini hot forging process. These alloys were chosen for their superior combination of properties, such as high electrical conductivity, wear resistance, and good mechanical strength. Cu, Ni, and W powders were mixed using Horizontal Ball Milling for 120 minutes, then compressed by the warm compaction method at 150°C with a pressure of 250 MPa for 15 minutes. The sintering process was carried out at 770°C with a holding time of 2 hours. After that, the specimens underwent a mini hot forging process with variations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 beatings to determine the effect on the mechanical and physical properties of the resulting electrodes. The results showed that increasing the number of beatings in the mini hot forging process had a significant effect on increasing the density, hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance of the electrodes. Electrical conductivity test results show that electrodes subjected to more beatings have better conductivity values. Microstructure analysis showed a more homogeneous particle distribution and reduced porosity as the number of forging beatings increased. Thus, the mini hot forging process proved to be effective in improving the mechanical and physical properties of Cu-Ni-W alloy-based EDM electrodes made via powder metallurgy method.