Cutting-Edge Research: Analysing The Tribological Aspects Of Brake Pad Materials With Natural Fibres

The developments in brake pad material are continuously advancing due to new automotive technologies that have been introduced in the last few decades. Currently, replacing asbestos-based brake pad materials with safer, eco-friendly, non-toxic and reliable materials is the objective of the researchers. The study of the performance of brake pad materials in different conditions is a challenging research area. The current study is focused on the comparative study of performance parameters of different organic materials. The experimental investigation is carried out on brake pads fabricated with three fibres namely, coconut, agave and sisal fibres. The brake pads are fabricated using these fibres and their tribological behaviour is investigated. During this investigation, the pads are subjected to a variable load with a volume or wear test to assess the characteristics of the surface. This study evaluated the tribological performance of brake pads made from coconut, agave, and sisal fibres, examining brake torque, brake power, and fade volume under varying loads and speeds. Coconut fibre brake pads showed the best overall performance with the lowest fade volume and best wear resistance, while agave fibres offered moderate performance, and sisal fibres had the highest fade volume and poorest wear resistance, making them less suitable for heavy applications.