Mechanical Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Reinforced Osseous Materials for High-Friction Automotive Brake Pad Applications

Abstract

Composite brake pad as an alternative to existing conventional brake pads were designed and produced with the aim of addressing the need for ecologically friendly and asbestos-free environment. The brake pads were made via compression molding having cow bone particles reinforced with mild steel chippings. In this study, properties such as density, hardness, tensile, shear, and compressive strength were tested to establish their appropriateness for friction applications in automotive settings. The results showed that the density values varied from 1.566 to 1.801 g/cm³, showing strong compaction and low porosity. Similarly, Hardness tests produced values between 60 and 70 Shore D, demonstrating outstanding resistance to wear, with higher cow bone content resulting in improved hardness compared to metallic chips. It was also observed that the Shear strength ranged from 23.0 to 41.03 MPa while tensile strength ranged from 38.4 to 40.8 MPa, outperforming conventional brake pads and exhibiting sufficient resistance to deformation under load. Also, compressive strength varied from 10.05 to 11.95 MPa indicating adequate resistance to deformation under load. The findings show that cow bone particles greatly improve the mechanical performance of brake pad composites by improving stress transmission, structural stiffness, and resistance to deformation. Overall, these composites have competitive, and occasionally better qualities than traditional and bio-based materials, based on comparisons with previous research. This study provides information on waste valorization with clear understanding by presenting cow bone as a viable, affordable, and environmentally friendly material in the production of high-performance non-asbestos car brake pads.