Abstract:
This research work investigates the use of shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) shell and cow hoof (Bauhinia ungulata) as reinforcement materials in the fabrication of automotive brake pads. The study employs the Taguchi method of experimental design and grey relational analysis to determine the optimal manufacturing parameters. The brake pad samples are produced by combining epoxy resin, graphite, calcium carbonate, and aluminum oxide with the reinforcement materials. For the shea nut shell (SNS)-reinforced samples, the optimized values for molding pressure, molding temperature, molding time, and post-curing time are 15MPa, 900°C, 9 minutes, and 1 hour, respectively. For the cow hoof (CH)-reinforced samples, the optimized values are 13MPa, 900°C, 11 minutes, and 2 hours, respectively.
The optimized samples for each reinforcement type undergo tests for water absorption, oil absorption, compression, hardness, wear rate, and coefficient of friction. Additionally, thermo-gravimetric analysis, thermal conductivity tests, and morphological structure analysis are conducted.
The results of the tests for the SNS-reinforced sample are as follows: water absorption (0.0591%), oil absorption (0.0661%), compression strength (88.5MPa), hardness (42.5HV), wear rate (0.216mg/m), and coefficient of friction (0.7103). For the CH-reinforced sample, the results are: water absorption (0.0739%), oil absorption (0.105%), compression strength (84MPa), hardness (43HV), wear rate (0.1972mg/m), and coefficient of friction (0.781).
Thermo-gravimetric analysis reveals that the SNS-reinforced sample exhibits greater thermal stability compared to the CH-reinforced sample. However, both samples display their maximum decomposition at a higher temperature range of 300°C to 400°C, which aligns with the average brake temperature.
The thermal conductivity test indicates values of 0.02154 Wm^-1K^-1 and 0.0248 Wm^-1K^-1 for the SNS-reinforced and CH-reinforced samples, respectively. Morphological structure analysis shows a uniform distribution between the resin and the two reinforcement materials.
Overall, the results suggest that shea nut shell and cow hoof have the potential to serve as viable replacements for asbestos in automotive brake pad production.
Advancements in Automotive Brake Pad Development using Shea Nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) Shell and Cow Hoof Composites.  GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
