A novel Himachal’s Bagar (Sabai) grass fiber used as a brake friction material in brake polymer composite and compared to standard brake friction material

Abstract

AbstractOrganic fibers are utilized these days in many applications because of their great mechanical properties. Organic fibers have replaced the synthetic fibers in various places. Previous research articles have told the potential of natural fiber reinforcement as a brake friction material, but there are very few research articles of comparative study of standard brake friction materials and natural fibers. So in this research paper, a unique Sabai grass fiber was used as a brake friction material to develop new samples of brake pads and compare with standard Kevlar‐based composites. The brake pads were formed by utilizing the different percentages of Kevlar fiber (standard material) (5%–10%) and Sabai grass fibers (5%–20%) in the hydraulic brake producing machine. The fundamental point of this investigation is to track down the substitute of asbestos and Kevlar in brake material. The outcomes of physico‐mechanical properties revealed that percentage of porosity, percentage of water retention, percentage of compressibility increments as augmentation the level of Sabai grass fiber and Kevlar fiber in the polymer composite while Ash, hardness and density diminishes with increment level of Sabai grass fiber and Kevlar fiber in the composite. The Sabai grass based composites with 5 wt% have shown improved outcomes for (μ) coefficient of friction, % fade and for wear among all organic fiber composites while the results in terms of wear and recovery were seen to increment with increment level of Sabai grass fiber. In relative examination it has been determined that Kevlar based Brake pad specimen showed minimal better outcomes in % fade, (μ) coefficient of friction and wear than that of Sabai grass fiber composites. The mechanical properties of sabai grass fiber and Kevlar‐based composites have shown nearby results. The wear rate and thermal stability were verified most elevated for 20% Sabai grass composites and 10% Kevlar mixture.