The effect of composition on hardness and wear resistance of rice plant fiber reinforced composite as a material of brake lining

Abstract

Asbestos type brake lining is widely circulating at a cheap price and guarantees the durability of brake shoes, but the result of friction powder in the form of small particles is very dangerous for human health. The study is based on the investigation of hardness and wear resistance in rice plant fiber reinforced composite which is fabricated with polyester resin, fiberglass, and addition of aluminium powder. The composite is hardness tested by using durometer shore D hardness tester. The composite is also wearing resistance tested. The result showed that the mechanical properties were improved due to the increasing of the rice plant fiber composition. The more composition of the rice plant fiber, the harder and the higher wear resistance of the composite. An increase in the composition of the rice plant fiber from 20% to 40% resulted in an increase in hardness of 23% and a decrease in wear by 9%