Abstract

One of the techniques to increase the hardness of aluminum alloy is by aging process. The aging process includes natural aging and artificial aging processes. This study aims to investigate the effect of artificial aging on the hardness of aluminum silicon alloys. Artificial aging is carried out at two temperature variations, namely 150 and 200 °C. Metallographic test using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were performed to observe the microstructure and deposits of silicon. Investigation of the constituent elements of aluminum silicon was carried out using the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy technique. The mechanical properties of aluminum silicon alloys examined were hardness before aging and hardness after artificial aging at temperatures of 150 and 200 °C. Hardness testing is conducted by Rockwell B hardness testing. The hardness test results showed that the hardness before the aging process was 61.1 HRB, the hardness after artificial aging at 150 °C was 69.11 HRB and the hardness after artificial aging at 200 °C was 80.36 HRB. There was an increase in hardness after the artificial aging process was carried out.

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