Investigating suitability of natural fibre-based composite as an alternative to asbestos clutch facing material in dry friction clutch of automobiles

Abstract

This paper aims to study experimentally the suitability of natural fiber based composite as a facing material in single plate dry friction clutch in automobiles by comparing their mechanical properties. The clutch which is an important component of automobile has advanced technologically over the period of time. At the same time, it has impacted environment because of its non-biodegradable material and is harmful to human health. Asbestos has been replaced by the materials like Kevlar, Ceramic, Feramic and Feram Alloy as friction material in single plate dry friction clutch by Original Equipment suppliers of automobiles. Meanwhile asbestos clutch facing is being sold in spare parts market and still used in reconditioning of old clutch plates. So, there is an urgent requirement to find a new environment friendly and non-hazardous dry friction clutch facing material. Therefore, this paper investigates the suitability of using Coconut Shell Powder/Coir/Epoxy Resin composite in the place of asbestos as clutch facing material by comparing their mechanical properties like tensile strength, compressive strength, hardness and flexural strength by conducting different tests on the composite material specimens fabricated in the laboratory with different ratios of ingredients.