Abstract:
Brake pads are requisite component in braking systems of vehicles. The automobile factories have relied on asbestos for a long time as a key component in brake pad formulations due to its exceptional frictional properties and heat resistance. However, the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with asbestos have prompted the need for sustainable alternatives. We aimed to examine the aptness of single organic materials for substituting the asbestos in brake pads. Composition was made of the nine specimens to be tested for hardness and water absorption test, then the average value for hardness and water absorption tests were taken from each samples of bagasse ash, wheat husk and asbestos of respective percentages of 15%, 20% and 25%. The results show the effective bonding occurred with a lower proportion of wheat husk (15%) i.e. WH1, whereas the higher percentages (20% and 25%) i.e. WH2 and WH3 did not result in proper material bonding. Similarly, with bagasse ash, a lower percentage (15%) i.e. B1 exhibited weaker bonding, while the higher percentages (20% and 25%) i.e. B2 and B3 failed to achieve the desired material cohesion. Thus, WH1 Sample was the best among all.
