Effect of particle sizes on the thermophysical properties of palm kernel shell based brake pads

Abstract

Friction linings were produced with varying particle sizes of palm kernel shell powder. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the manufactured friction linings were then determined in order to ascertain its performance and analyse the influence of pks particle size on these properties: the dimensions and the density were obtained following standard procedure; Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus using the universal testing machine; specific heat capacity using a Digital Thermal Analyser and thermal conductivity as well as thermal expansion were determined using the standard Lee's Disc method. The results showed that the densities of the experimental brake linings were in the range of 1238.38 – 1692.68 kg/m3; Young's moduli in the range of 3.40 – 5.53 GPa; Poisson ratios in the range of 0.39 – 0.46; thermal conductivities in the range of 7.89 – 10.31 W/mK; specific heat capacity in the range of 1.035 – 6.505 J/kgK and coefficient of thermal expansion in the range of 10.49 – 18.10 10−5/K. The findings show that the thermal, physical and mechanical properties of the developed lining composites are greatly influenced by the change in the particle size of the palm kernel shell powder.