Characteristics of wood powder, coconut fiber and green mussel shell composite for motorcycle centrifugal clutch pads

Abstract

This research is motivated by the need for environmentally friendly motorcycle centrifugal clutch pads. Utilization composites of wood powder, coconut fiber, and green mussel shells for centrifugal clutch pads have not been much discussed in the research. Centrifugal clutch functions to transmit power from the engine to the drive train with a centrifugal force mechanism. This study aims to determine the characteristics of the hardness, wear, coefficient of friction, and microstructure of the composite. Composite material was made with three variations, namely specimen 1 consisting of 20% wood powder, 20% coconut fiber, 60% resin, and 0% shells. Specimen 2 made of 20% wood powder, 20% coconut fiber, 50% resin, and 10% shells. Specimen 3 is made from 20% wood powder, 20% coconut fiber, 40% resin, and 20% shells. All specimens were characterized by hardness testing according to ASTM E92 by the Vickers FV-300e. Each specimen was tested three times and the average data was taken. Wear resistance testing according to ASTM G99 by OGOSHI machine. Friction coefficient testing is based on the principle of friction in the inclined plane. While microstructure testing uses SEM by JEOL JSM-6510LA. The results shows that the composition of wood powder, coconut fiber, and shell influenced the test results. Specimen 3 shows the highest value of hardness, wear and coefficient of friction compared to others so that it can be used for the centrifugal clutch.