Production and Characterization of Hybrid Automobile Brake Pad

Abstract

A brake system is highly imperative for the safe control of an articulated automobile. One of the major components of the automobile system is brake pad which is currently imported into the Nigerian market. This study was aimed at producing brake pads from locally available materials to serve as an alternative to imported pads. Samples of brake pads were produced from a mixture of epoxy resin, kaolin, barium sulphate, steel fibre, fiberglass, silica, alumina, and graphite sourced from local markets. Three samples - A, B, and C – were moulded following the standard practice for brake pad production. The samples were characterized for microstructure, hardness, wear rate, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and impact strength. The study established that the brake pad made from 16.3% epoxy resin, 13.8% kaolin, 32.6% barium sulphate, 6.5% steel fibre, 10.4% fiberglass, 6.8% silica, 9.2% alumina, and 4.4% graphite performed optimally with a hardness of 4.59 kg/m2. The optimal brake pad had its wear rate lower than other samples after 210 s of load application, an ultimate tensile strength of 3.60 MPa and impact strength of 0.028 J/mm. SEM image of the sample indicates a homogenous distribution of the binder, fillers and reinforcing materials. Compared to sample B, the conventional brake pad had a higher Brinell hardness value of 18,592 kg/m2. The results justified that the developed brake pads have sound tribological property as prominent characteristics. The study recommends the application of the optimally produced brake in automobiles for enhanced eco user friendliness.