Characterization of Newly Developed Asbestos and Copper-free Low Metallic Friction Material for Automotive Brake Pad Application

Non-exhaust pollution due to brake friction material emission is a major challenge in front of researchers. In operation of brake, wear debris of the metal constituents present in brake friction material composition thrown in atmosphere and form metal oxides. Some of the metal oxides pollute the environment and bad effect on human health. With this regards it is essential to develop novel friction material from less metallic percentage and more organic or natural ingredients. In the present study, the low metallic friction materials compositions are developed with 10 ingredients. The friction material specimen is made by the compression molding technique. The characterization is carried out as per ASTM standards. Among the 9 samples, sample 9 shows least wear rate (0.0005 mg/m to 0.0003 mg/m) and has coefficient of friction range 0.31 to 0.46. Samples 1, 5, and 9 represent low, medium and high percentage of boron carbide and epoxy resin respectively among the 9 samples. SEM results showed that cracks size is greater on the entire surface of samples 1 and 5 whereas in sample 9 only pits marks and wear debris are formed on the surface. In TGA analysis, at 200 0 C the samples 1, 5 and 9 showed an average weight loss of 9% and it progresses to 25% at 350 0 C. With all characterization concern, it is possible to decrease bad effect of copper and metal oxide on environment and human health by developing friction material from organic and natural ingredients.