Development of asbestos-free friction lining material from palm kernel shell

Abstract

Friction materials are applicable for braking and transmission in various machines and equipment. Their composition keeps changing to keep pace with technological development and environmental/legal requirements. For more than 80 years asbestos has been used as a friction material because of its good physical and chemical properties. However, due to the health hazard associated with its handling, it has lost favour and several alternative materials are being increasingly used. Thus, in this work, a non - asbestos friction material was developed using an agro-waste material base - palm kernel shell (PKS)- along with other constituents. Among the agro-waste shells investigated the PKS exhibited more favourable properties. Taguchi optimization technique was used to achieve optimal friction material formulation and manufacturing parameters. The derived friction material was used to produce automobile disk brake pads. The laboratory brake pads were tested for wear and effectiveness on a car. When compared with a premium asbestos-based commercial brake pad they were found to have performed satisfactorily. However, more pad wear was observed on the PKS pad at high vehicular speeds beyond 80km/hour. The results suggest that palm kernel shell could be a possible replacement for asbestos in friction lining materials

Characterization of palm kernel shell for materials reinforcement and water treatment

“…These include: the empty fruit bunch (EFB), palm fruit fiber (PFF), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and palm kernel shell (PKS). Whereas oil palm is chiefly cultivated for palm oil (PO) and palm kernel oil (PKO), the PKS (as residue) has been regarded as 'waste' from palm oil processing by Obeng et al (1997), Lartey et al (1999) and Ibhadode and Dagwa, (2008). It has been shown that approximately 15 to 18 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches are produced per hectare per year and PKS comprises about 64% of the bunch mass (Obisesan, 2004;Adewumi, 2009).…”

Asbestos base and asbestos free brake lining materials : comparative study

“…Taguchi optimization technique was utilised to achieve optimal friction material formulation and optimum manufacturing parameters. A disc brake is investigated with palm karnel shell material [14]. The development of asbestos-free automotive brake pad using periwinkle shell particles as frictional filler is made in some literature.…”

Review of Automotive Brake Friction Materials

“…A. Ibhadode et al and K. Deepika et al respectively [1,3]. Taguchi optimization technique was used to achieve optimal frict ion material formu lation and manufacturing parameters.…”

“…The mechanical and physical properties compare well with co mmercial asbestos -based frict ion lining material. Its performance under static and dynamic conditions compare well with the asbestos -based lin ing material [1,3].…”