Studi Karakteristik Cu-Ni-Fe-Xal Medium Entropy Alloy Disintesis Menggunakan Metode Metalurgi Serbuk Diikuti Dengan Proses Forging

Abstract

Copper-based alloys are widely used for bushing applications due to their favorable tribological properties; however, their relatively limited mechanical strength encourages further material development. This study investigates the effects of aluminum content (0.5 wt.% and 1.0 wt.%) and forging load on the physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of Cu–Ni–Fe–xAl alloys fabricated through powder metallurgy followed by a forging process. The alloy powders were mixed, compacted, sintered at 1000 °C, and subsequently forged under varying loads. Material characterization included density measurement, Vickers hardness testing, compressive strength testing, pin-on-disc wear testing, and optical microstructure observation.The results indicate that increasing the forging load enhances densification and reduces porosity, which contributes to improved hardness and wear resistance. An aluminum addition of 0.5 wt.% results in more favorable mechanical properties compared to 1.0 wt.% Al, where higher aluminum content tends to hinder densification and adversely affect material performance under certain processing conditions. Microstructural observations confirm improved particle bonding and reduced porosity in specimens processed with optimized parameters.These findings suggest that Cu–Ni–Fe–xAl alloys produced via powder metallurgy and forging have potential as alternative materials for bushing applications requiring enhanced mechanical and tribological performance.