Development of Asbestos-free Brake Pads Using Bamboo Leaves

Asbestos-based brake pads are not desirable due to the carcinogenic nature of asbestos. Organic asbestos-free brake automotive brake pad produced from bamboo leaves was evaluated in this study. Ground bamboo leaves were sieved into sieve grades of 100, 200, and 350 μm. The sieved bamboo leaves particles were then combined with 15 % steel dust, 10% graphite, 20% resin, Silicon Carbide varied five (5) times between 35-55 % and 0-20% respectively for each sieve grade to make brake pads of different ratios. The mechanical properties (hardness, compressive strength, density, porosity, wear rate, and flame resistance) of the produced samples were investigated. The results showed that the finer the particle size of the bamboo leaves, the better the mechanical properties of the produced samples. The results of this work when compared with those of the commercial (asbestos based) brake pad showed they were in close agreement except for the wear rate and porosity property. Therefore, bamboo leaves could be used in the production of asbestos free brake pads if the wear rate and porosity properties of the produced samples could be improved.