Evaluation of natural fibers for the production of automotive brake pads replacement for asbestos brake pad
Karthikeyan Paramasivam, Jeya Jeevahan Jayaraj, Kumarasubramanian Ramar, Yuvaraja Subramani, K. C. Ajithkumar, N. Kabilan
Abstract
In brake pad application, natural fiber composites are used to reduce the toxic and harmful effects caused by the asbestos-based brake pads. Because it leads to respiratory problem and lung cancer. In this, natural fiber properties are used to boost the mechanical properties towards the replacement for asbestos brake pad. The natural fiber of Banana fiber (5 & 10%), Coconut fiber (2 & 5%), Rice husk (3 & 5%) with additives like graphite powder(30% & 35%)and Aluminium oxide(15%) to improve the abrasiveness, Epoxy resin (35% & 40%) which is used as binder material. The rice husk is used in order to reduce rate of wear. The wear properties and hardness of the composite material were investigated further and thus, the proposed composite can be used as an effective replacement of asbestos in the brake pad production. The Hardness of the composite sample B is comparatively higher than the Sample A. The Wear Rate of Both Sample A and Sample B is lesser than the commercial brake pads when speed is set to 350 rpm. The Friction coefficient of the Sample B composite Higher than the Sample A composite.