Effect of the Cantala Fiber on Flexural Strength of Composite Friction Brake.

A great deal of research has been conducted on composite; one of which is related brake pad in automotive area. Nowadays, the use of material should have a high economic value and eco-friendly properties. Such requirements have encouraged researchers to produce eco-friendly composite material by using natural fibers. Natural fiber is an alternative to produce new brake pad composite that has required mechanical properties and economic value and is ecofriendly. The brake pad composite should have heat resistance value, coefficient of friction, and mechanical strength as needed during the process of braking. In this research, Cantala fibers were chosen as strengthening material of brake pad composite. The volume fractions of Cantala fiber evaluated in this study were 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%. Other materials used in the composition of brake pad composite production were NBR, fly ash, graphite, CaCO₃, phenolic resin, and cashew dust. The specimens were manufactured using the following sequential processes: mixing the ingredients, cold pressing, hot pressing, and finally post curing of the specimens. The result showed an increase in flexural strength of composite friction brake along with the increase in Cantala fiber volume fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]