Tribological Investigation of Automotive Brake Pad Friction Material Based on Rice Husk and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

The objective of this study has been to investigate the tribological performance of automotive brake pad friction material (BFM) made from agro-waste materials, specifically rice husk (RH) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA). These materials were combined using phenolic resin along with other compositional components. The mechanical, physical, and tribological performance of both samples was assessed according to established standards. The microstructure of the samples was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) to analyze the bonding and distribution of materials. The results indicated that sample 1 (S1) outperformed sample 2 (S2) in terms of compression strength, hardness, fade resistance, and recovery. The hot and cold coefficients of friction for sample 1 (S1) were 0.47 and 0.43, respectively, while for sample 2 (S2), they were 0.48 and 0.47. Chase test data revealed that both samples demonstrated a fade resistance of over 75% and a recovery exceeding 100%. The friction material was evaluated using edge code assessment, resulting in ratings of 'FG' for S1 and 'GG' for S2. The SEM-EDX analysis indicated that both samples had similar surface morphologies, and no fiber delamination was observed in either sample after the friction tests. This study adds to the growing body of research focused on developing safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional brake pad materials, which can be detrimental to the ecosystem.