Effect of Zinc Addition in Copper to Structure, Hardness, Corrosion, and Antibacterial Activity

Lisa Samura (Universitas Trisakti)
Mustamina Maulani (Universitas Trisakti)
Cahaya Rosyidan (Universitas Trisakti)
Kartika Fajarwati Hartono (Universitas Trisakti)
Suryo Prakoso (Universitas Trisakti)
Evi Ulina Margareta Situmorang (Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia)
Daniel Edbert (Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia)
Bambang Soegijono (PROUDTEK Lab, Universitas Indonesia)
Muhammad Yunan Hasbi (Research Center for Metallurgy – National Research and Innovation Agency)
Ferry Budhi Susetyo (Universitas Negeri Jakarta)

Journal of Applied Engineering and Technological Science (JAETS)
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024): Journal of Applied Engineering and Technological Science (JAETS)

Brass (CuZn) is widely used today due to better mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. The present research fabricated CuZn alloy by adding various Zn (6, 9, and 12 wt.%) to the Cu using gravity casting. Casts CuZn alloy by adding various Zn to the Cu to investigate optimum composition were resulting highest inhibited of bacterial activity. In addition, the structure, hardness, and electrochemical behavior of the alloy were also investigated using XRD, Vickers hardness, and potentiostat equipment. XRD confirmed that CuZn alloy has an alpha phase, and a FCC crystal structure. The rise of the Zn content in the alloy led to an increase in crystallite size, a decrease in the hardness and a shift to a more negative OCP potential at 1200 s measurement. Enhancing the Zn content to 9 wt.% in the alloy lead to decrease the corrosion rate. Moreover, 24-hour post-contact observation found that the sample places removed remained clear of bacteria. The Cu6Zn sample successfully inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli in the 3rd hour, while Staphylococcus aureus was 100 % reduced in the 7th hour. The Cu6Zn sample could be used as an alternative material for medical equipment in ambulances.