Abstract
In this study, waste shells of African giant snail (Achatina achatina L.) were explored as candidates for asbestos-free non-carcinogenic brake pads. The results obtained showed that the density, Brinell hardness, and compressive strength of the snail shell (SS) brake pads were superior to the commercial sample used for comparison. These properties were found to decrease with increase in particle size, following a negative index power law model after the order of the Hall-Petch equation. However, the liquid absorption characteristics increased with increase in particle size and its model followed a positive index power law due to the pores in the matrix. On the other hand, the thermal conductivity showed no significant change with variation in particle size. The SS-based brake pad exhibited better frictional grip at the rubbing interfaces compared to the commercial brake pad sample. From the frictional results obtained, the commercial brake pad can be rated as Edge-Code-D whereas the frictional ratings for the SS-based brake pad with different particle sizes are Edge-Code-E (500μm and 250μm), Edge-Code-F (375μm), Edge-Code-G (125μm), and Edge-Code-H (90μm). The wear rates and wear areas of the developed SS-based brake pads were inferior to the commercial sample but can be improved by impregnating the matrix with more iron fillings to enhance the poor thermal conductivity and hence wear characteristics.
Highlights
The phasing out of asbestos-based materials for engineering applications due to their carcinogenic impact on human and animal health has prompted researches for “greener” alternatives
The top sieve is covered with the sieve pan cover and shaking vigorously for 10min to separate the grinded snail shells at the top to different particle sizes; the quantity left in every sieve size at the end of the 10min is put in a pan with its label
It was shown that oil absorption of the snail shell (SS)-based brake pad sample increased with increasing grain size. This can be attributed to better bonding between the smaller grain sizes and the binder
Summary
Version of Record: A version of this preprint was published at The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology on April 18th, 2021. Development and Characterization of Green Automotive Brakepads from Waste Shells of Giant African Snail (Achatina achatina L.). Chinwuba Victor Ossia.* and Akuro Big-Alabo Applied Mechanics & Design Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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