Development of non-asbestos brake pad composites reinforced with mount merapi volcanic sand and corn stalk fibers

This study explores the development of non-asbestos brake pads based on composites by utilizing Mount Merapi sand and corn stalk fibers. The use of asbestos in brake linings has been reduced due to serious health risks, thus requiring environmentally friendly and safe material alternatives. Mount merapi sand is used as fillers because of its high silica content, while corn stalk fibers are used as a natural reinforcement due to their high cellulose content (42.6%), biodegradability, and low cost. The composite is fabricated through a hot isostatic press at 250 °C for 2 hours. The volume friction of mount merapi sand is varied between 23.3% and 42.3% and corn stalk fibers that have been soaked in a 5% NaOH solution to enhance adhesion and tensile strength. The samples then characterized using SEM, Brinell hardness, wear test, friction coefficient, and tensile strength test. The 42.4% mount merapi sand composition (sample A4) showed the highest hardness value (32.690 HBN) and good wear resistance (4.142 × 10−4 mm2/kg).