Modeling and analysis of organic car brake pad

Abstract

The project was aimed at designing a frictional material that can replace asbestos in the manufacture of brake pads. Frictional material used in brake pads is made up of four subcomponents which play different roles. These are; abrasives materials to modify friction, lubricants to stabilize developed friction, binders to hold different constituents together and prevent disintegration and fillers to improve manufacturability as well as lower the cost. Brake pads are required to maintain; a sufficiently high friction coefficient with the brake disc, not decompose or break down at high temperatures and exhibit a stable and consistent friction coefficient. In this project the materials used included; powdered banana peels, calcium carbonate, aluminium oxide, powdered graphite and epoxy resins which were locally obtained. Hence three formulations were made, which had different percentage material composition. The mixtures were moulded by use of a locally made mould and cured before subjecting them to a temperature of 150⁰c in an oven for three hours. The samples were then tested for compression and tensile stress, oil and water absorption, density, coefficient of friction, hardness. The results showed that reducing filler content increased hardness, wear rate, tensile strength, and compressive strength of the composite brake pads; while density, coefficient of friction, water absorption and oil absorption increased with increased filler content. Based on the results banana peels are suitable eco-friendly replacement for asbestos and many agro-biomass friction materials in automotive brake pads.