Interface Enhancement and Tribological Properties of Cattle Manure-Derived Corn Stalk Fibers for Friction Materials: The Role of Silane Treatment Concentration

Corn stalk fibers extracted from cattle manure (CSFCM) represent a unique class of natural fibers that undergo biological pre-treatment during ruminant digestion. This study systematically investigates the optimization of CSFCM-reinforced friction materials through controlled silane treatment (2-10 wt.%). The biological pre-treatment through ruminant digestion creates distinctive fiber properties that influence subsequent chemical modification. Physical characterization revealed that optimized interface modification at 6 wt.% silane treatment (CSFCM-3) effectively enhanced the fiber-matrix compatibility while achieving a 34.2% reduction in water absorption and decreased apparent porosity from 9.03% to 7.85%. Tribological evaluation demonstrated superior performance stability, with CSFCM-3 maintaining friction coefficients of 0.35-0.45 across 100-350 °C and exhibiting enhanced thermal stability through a fade ratio of 14.48% and recovery ratio of 95%. The total wear rate showed significant improvement, reducing by 26.26% to 3.433 × 10^-7 cm³ (N·m)^-1 compared to untreated specimens. Microscopic analysis confirmed that the optimized silane modification promoted the formation of stable secondary plateaus and uniform wear patterns, contributing to enhanced tribological performance. This investigation establishes an effective approach for developing high-performance friction materials through precise control of silane treatment parameters. The findings demonstrate the potential for developing sustainable friction materials with enhanced performance characteristics, offering new pathways for eco-friendly material design that effectively utilizes agricultural waste resources.