Asbestos-free Brake Pad Using Composite Polymer Strengthened with Rice Husk Powder

Abstract

Indonesia is one of biggest country with agricultural product and its very abundant. Agricultural product would give effect on an agriculture waste. For the example of agricultural waste is rice husk (RH). RH is the outer layer of the paddy. RH as an organic waste is obtained from the outer covering of rice grains during the milling process. The mechanical properties of RH is low combustion value and potential damage to the environment. The recent uses of RH are as a fertilizer additive, animal food, stock breeding rugs, cooking fuel, paving applications, filling materials, and energy generation. RH is composed of lignin, cellulose, and SiO2, therefore it can be considered as a natural organic-inorganic composite material. In the other hand, as the enormous spare part development nowadays, the use of asbestos-based materials in the manufacture of vehicle brake pad is considered to endanger health, especially brake pad. Asbestos-based materials are used because of their temperature resistance. However, the use of asbestos has been banned due to carcinogenic substances and substances that are harmful to the environment. Asbestos-based materials can also endanger respiratory health because they can endanger the lungs if inhaled.The objective of this study is to add value to rice husk by developing a sustainable material composite. The rice husk was combine with biodegradable polymer as matrix. This study aims to determine the effect of particle size of rice husk powders, and structural mechanisms on non-asbestos brake composites. The ratio of reinforcement and matrix as follows 20:80; 30:70; 40:60 with carbonized and uncarbonized condition. The expected result is the best wear properties conducted from rice husk powder composites brake pad are in close with commercial asbestos based brake pad.