20 - Tribological characterization of biofiber-reinforced brake friction composites

Abstract

Biofibers have currently gained more importance in the global scenario due to environmental awareness. The current study deals with the extraction and utilization of biofibers obtained from stems of Cucurbita moschata climber plants by a manual retting process. The obtained C. moschata biofibers were treated with an alkali solution to obtain the alkali-treated C. moschata biofibers. The obtained biofibers were characterized for chemical properties, then utilized to develop copper-free brake pads using a conventional process. The developed brake pads were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties as per industrial standards. The developed brake pad’s tribological performance was analyzed using the Chase test following IS 2742 Part 4. The results elucidated that alkali-treated C. moschata biofibers had lesser amorphous contents that aided in better bonding with the matrix and good thermal stability. These characteristics aided in the better tribological performance showing a low fade rate (11.5%) and a higher recovery rate (97%) in alkali-treated C. moschata biofibers based Chase tested brake pads compared with untreated bio fiber-based one. Scanning electron microscope studies showed that worn surface of alkali-treated C. moschata biofibers based brake pads had good plateau formation with better fiber bonding.