Evaluation of Sheanut Shell-Reinforced Automotive Brake Pad

Abstract

For over a century now, asbestos has been used as friction material in the manufacture of brake pads but its use is currently been avoided due to its carcinogenic nature and potential to cause cancer. This study is focused on development of a new brake pad using sheanut shell (SNS) which is an eco-friendly material as the reinforcement and epoxy resin as the binder. Other constituents used are calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), graphite and aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃). Five compositions were formulated with the epoxy resin and reinforcement varied at interval of 5 wt% while CaCO₃, graphite and Al₂O₃ remain constant at 30, 10 and 10 wt% respectively. The developed brake pads were subjected to compressive, abrasive and water absorption tests while their densities were also measured. The results showed that the compressive strength, abrasive strength and the density of the samples decreased as the reinforcement content increased while the water absorption rate increased as the reinforcement content increased. The value of the compressive strength ranged from 64.88 – 93.04Mpa, wear rate from 3.13 – 6.25mg/m, water absorption from 0.899 – 2.722% and density from 0.764 – 1.487g/m³. The result of this research indicates that SNS particles can be used as a replacement for asbestos in brake pad production.