Effect of Reinforcement Material on Properties of Manufactured Aluminum Matrix Composite Using Stir Casting Route
Hammar Ilham Akbar, Eko Surojo, Dody Ariawan, Galang Ariyanto Putra, Reyhan Tri Wibowo
Abstract
Composite is a lightweight material that used and developed in various industries. The use of aluminum matrix composites as structural and automotive materials has increased in recent years. One of the obstacles in the development of aluminum matrix composites is high-cost production, especially raw material for reinforcing particles. One innovation is the use of natural materials and waste as reinforcement in aluminum matrix composites. Sea sand is one of the natural materials containing ceramic or oxide compounds so that it has the potential to be used as reinforcement in aluminum matrix composites. This paper compares the physical and mechanical properties of aluminum composite production using sea sand particles and composites with commonly used ceramic particle reinforcement, such as alumina and SiC. Calculation of density and porosity shows that Al6061/sea sand composites have higher density and lower porosity compared to Al6061/Al2O3 and Al6061/SiC composites. The hardness of Al6061/sea sand composite is higher compared to Al6061/Al2O3 and Al6061/SiC composites.