THE EFFECT OF ALUMINUM COMPOSITE PANEL (ACP) MIXTURE WITH IRON POWDER USING HOT PRESS ON MACROSTRUCTURE, TENSILE STRENGTH, AND HARDNESS

Abid Farhan, Wawan Triasdi Putra, Rizki Dwi Ardika
Mechanical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering
Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo
e-mail: abidfarhan245@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Waste Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) and iron powder are industrial wastes that have the potential to be utilized as composite materials to reduce environmental pollution. This study aims to investigate the effect of variations in waste ACP and iron powder compositions on the macrostructure, tensile strength, and hardness of the composite. The specimens were fabricated using a hot press, with the mixture compositions determined using the Design of Experiment (DOE) method. The tests included macrostructure observation, tensile testing based on ASTM D638 Type IV, and Shore D hardness testing based on ASTM D2240. The results showed that the filler distribution within the PE matrix was not completely homogeneous, with agglomeration and voids still observed in several specimens. The highest tensile strength and hardness values were obtained at a composition of 62.93% PE, 15% iron powder, and 22.07% aluminum powder, with values of 3.69 MPa and 61.3 Shore D, respectively. Meanwhile, the composition of 80% PE, 10% iron powder, and 10% aluminum powder resulted in the lowest tensile strength and hardness values. Increasing the metal filler content was found to improve the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and hardness of the composite, but decreased its strain value. The results indicate that waste ACP and iron powder have the potential to be utilized as recycled composite materials for non-structural applications.

Keywords: ACP Waste, Iron Powder, Macrostructure, Tensile Test, Hardness Test