Suitability evaluation of untreated and surface-modified Eichhornia crassipes fibers for brake pad applications

Abstract

The current study investigated the suitability of untreated, alkali-treated, and silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers as reinforcement in brake pads. The physio-chemical, thermal, crystalline properties of the untreated, alkali-treated, and silane-treated fibers were evaluated. Chemically modified fibers were utilized to develop brake pads and their properties were evaluated as per the industrial standards. The outcomes elucidated that silane treatment removed the extra lignin, hemicellulose, wax substances from the constituents of the Eichhornia crassipes fibers which increased the fiber bonding with the phenolic resin in brake pads. The silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers had the higher thermal stability, maximum degradation temperature (338.2ºC), and crystallinity index (33.17%) than untreated and alkali-treated fiber. The brake pads with silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers showed less acetone extraction value of 1.1%, proving its better curing and fade-recovery characteristics with the standard range as prescribed by industrial standards. Chase tested brake pads with silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers had good fiber bonding and plateau formations as inferred from Scanning Electron Microscope.

Keywords

• eichhornia crassipes
• natural fiber
• silane treatment
• brake pads
• worn surface morphology