Identifying the hardness level of recycled aluminum with the addition of cu powder through a melting mechanism below the melting point and precipitation reinforcement

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.359420

Keywords:

Abstract

The object of this study is the alloy of Al-Cu with recycled aluminum and the addition of copper powder. The current problem is the use of aluminum waste, which is still very limited, and the mechanical properties of aluminum waste are declining, so material manufacturing engineering technology is needed to process the aluminum waste into new materials used for various applications, so that it can reduce the energy consumption of the manufacturing process and improve mechanical properties.

This study aims to increase alloy hardness by adding recycled aluminum in the form of copper powder, using sub-melting-point processing and precipitation. It addresses rising industrial demand for aluminum and the need for superior mechanical properties, focusing on eco-friendly products, recycled materials, and energy-saving smelting practices. Results show that aluminum combined with copper powder can be processed below copper’s melting point via diffusion in Al90Cu10 and Al95Cu5 at 1000°C and 1050°C, respectively, with both aged at 300°C. Hardness increased from 25 HBW to 94 HBW in Al90Cu10 over the temperature range of 1000°C to 1050°C.

This research addresses the growing problem of aluminum waste by recycling it into products with enhanced mechanical properties. Adding copper powder and melting at a low temperature reduces energy use during smelting. The aging strengthening mechanism increases the hardness of aluminum alloys, meeting industrial needs. The increased hardness and wear resistance of the recycled products of AL-Cu alloys developed in this study can have the potential to be applied to non-structural mechanical elements that have an impact on environmentally friendly and energy-efficient manufacturing processes

Author Biographies

Erwin Erwin, Darma Persada University

Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, Associate Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Juan Pratama, Darma Persada University

Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Didik Sugiyanto, Darma Persada University

Master of Mechanical Engineering, Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Yefri Chan, Darma Persada University

Doctor of Mechanical Engineering, Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Trisna Ardi Wiradinata, Darma Persada University

Master of Mechanical Engineering, Assistant Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

M. Arik Febrian, Darma Persada University

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dien Alma Ariz, Darma Persada University

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Identifying the hardness level of recycled aluminum with the addition of cu powder through a melting mechanism below the melting point and precipitation reinforcement

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Erwin, E., Pratama, J., Sugiyanto, D., Chan, Y., Wiradinata, T. A., Febrian, M. A., & Ariz, D. A. (2026). Identifying the hardness level of recycled aluminum with the addition of cu powder through a melting mechanism below the melting point and precipitation reinforcement. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 3(12 (141), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.359420

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 12 (141) (2026): Materials Science

Section

Materials Science

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Copyright (c) 2026 Erwin Erwin, Juan Pratama, Didik Sugiyanto, Yefri Chan, Trisna Ardi Wiradinata, M. Arik Febrian, Dien Alma Ariz

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