Experimental Study of Aluminum Composite Material by the Percentage Variation of Volcanic Ash Reinforcement

Abstract

This research is using the volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Kelud as material composite reinforcement. Information about large amounts of Silica (SiO2) on Mount Kelud volcanic ash and its abundant amounts in Yogyakarta after the eruption, were the reason for choosing this material as reinforcement in the making of aluminum metal composite. This composite is using the recycled aluminum material as their matrix. Stir casting method used during the experiment. 1%, 3%, 5% of volcanic ash used with 300 rpm stirring rotation and 4 minutes stirring rotation. Microstructure testing, hardness testing, impact testing and tensile testing were carried out to determined changes in material characteristic. The result showed that the addition of 1% volcanic ash reinforcement gives the highest hardness and toughness number to aluminum composite material, but the lowest ductility value. The highest aluminum composite material ductility value reached in the addition of 3% volcanic ash reinforcement.