Pengaruh Metode Pencampuran terhadap Karakteristik Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite (HMMC) Disintesis menggunakan Metode Metalurgi Serbuk

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of powder mixing methods and variations in the volume fraction of Alumina (Al₂O₃) on the physical and mechanical properties of Cu–Ni–1 wt.% Mo–1.5 wt.% TiC–Al₂O₃ hybrid alloys as electrode material candidates for Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) processes. Cu, Ni, Mo, TiC, and Al₂O₃ powders with variations in Al₂O₃ composition of 0.5 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% were mixed using two methods, namely V-mixer and mechanical alloying. The mixing process was followed by cold compaction at a pressure of 310 MPa for 15 minutes and sintering at a temperature of 770 °C for 60 minutes. Characterization included density testing, Vickers hardness, compression testing, electrical conductivity, wear rate, optical microstructure analysis and SEM–EDS, as well as surface porosity analysis and optimization using the Taguchi and ANOVA methods. Overall, mechanical alloying and the addition of Al₂O₃ were shown to increase hardness and wear resistance but decreased electrical conductivity. Compared to commercial Cu–50 wt.% W electrodes, the 0.5 wt.% Al₂O₃ variation with mechanical alloying (V2) was identified as the most potential configuration because it had electrical conductivity close to the reference, hardness higher than 115 VHN, and low and stable wear rate.