Universitas Indonesia (UI) inaugurated Prof. Dr. Ir. Myrna Ariati Mochtar, M.Sc., as a professor of Heat Treatment Science at the Faculty of Engineering (FT) at the Makara Art Center (MAC), UI Depok Campus (1/11). In the procession, she delivered her inaugural speech entitled “Improving Heat Treatment Process Productivity with Empirical Data-Based Modeling”.
Prof. Myrna explained that the current economic performance in Indonesia, especially in the non-oil and gas processing industry sector during the first quarter of 2023, still recorded consistent growth, and was still the main source of forming the structure of gross domestic product (GDP), during the first three months of this year, which reached 5.03%. The manufacturing industry sector remained the largest contributor to national economic growth in the first quarter of 2023, contributing up to 16.77 per cent.
Seeing this great and growing opportunity, Prof. Myrna said that it must be balanced with an increase in process efficiency and quality of manufacturing products. Various methods must continue to be pursued to improve the quality and efficiency of manufacturing industry production, one of which is through the heat treatment process.
Prof. Myrna said that her research produced a model to predict the mechanical properties of materials in the heat treatment process based on empirical data. This is obtained from experiments with various material compositions, temperatures, and heating times, then the existing phenomena are mathematically approached, and constants of influencing factors are entered. Thus, this model will describe the various product finishes more accurately. The data used is the relationship between heat treatment parameters and hardness, and strength of the material researched with various material compositions in the industry.
He further said that this model was then validated, comparing the results of mathematical model calculations and experimental results, which showed that the model obtained had high precision. This means that the empirical data-based modelling method can be used to predict the hardness, strength, and dimensional changes of heat-treated materials in various heat treatment parameters, such as temperature, time, heating and cooling speed.
According to Prof. Myrna, accurate results that can reduce the trial and error process in the development of manufacturing industry products can improve process efficiency in terms of cost, time, energy, and materials. In terms of usefulness for the community, Prof. Myrna explained that this model can be applied to heat treatment processes in the manufacturing industry, such as the automotive component industry and engine components. This model is made based on data from research results on optimizing the heat treatment process in various industries with various steel materials.
“This is a real form of collaboration between academics and industry players. Research can continue to be refined with more samples so that the results are more precise. We academics certainly hope that together with the industry we will continue to collaborate, providing mutual benefits. Industry cases will enrich our knowledge and joint research carried out can be useful, “said Prof. Myrna at her inaugural procession which was broadcast live through the YouTube channel of Universitas Indonesia and UI Teve.
Met at the inaugural ceremony, the Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU said, “Prof. Myrna’s inaugural speech discussed how the application of empirical data-based modelling can improve productivity in heat treatment processes. This is a crucial issue in the manufacturing industry, where operational efficiency and product quality are critical. The use of empirical data-based modelling can help industries optimize the heat treatment process, reduce waste, save energy, and improve product quality. This will positively contribute to the productivity and competitiveness of our manufacturing industry while impacting national economic growth.”
The inauguration, led by UI Rector Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., was also attended by Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia (2014-2016 period) Saleh Husin, S.E., M.Si. who is also the Chair of the UI Board of Trustees (MWA) for the 2019-2023 period; Director General of the Transportation Equipment and Telematics Industry of the Ministry of Industry (2010-2015 period) Dr. Ir. Budi Darmadi, M.Sc.; Inspector General of the Ministry of Industry (2015-2018 period) Ir. Soerjono, M.M.; President Director of PT Indoheat Metal Inti, Parizal; and General Manager of PT Sinar Putra Metalindo Amran Alamsyah.
During her education, Prof. Myrna completed her undergraduate to doctoral education at the Universitas Indonesia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering in 1985. In 1992 she earned a Master’s degree in Materials Science at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA). In 2010, he returned to FTUI and earned his Doctorate in Engineering Science.
Some of his scientific works in the past year include the Effect of tempering temperature and subzero treatment on microstructures, retained austenite, and hardness of AISI D2 tool steel (2023); Comparison of wet and dry milling on carbon biomass as dispersed particles in quench medium for steel heat treatment application (2023); and The Effect of Pyrolysis Duration on Thermal Conductivity, Stability, Viscosity, of Dispersed PCB-based Particles in Thermal Fluid (2023).
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Public Communication Bureau
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia