Suitability evaluation of untreated and surface-modified Eichhornia crassipes fibers for brake pad applications

ABSTRACT

The current study investigated the suitability of untreated, alkali-treated, and silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers as reinforcement in brake pads. The physio-chemical, thermal, crystalline properties of the untreated, alkali-treated, and silane-treated fibers were evaluated. Chemically modified fibers were utilized to develop brake pads and their properties were evaluated as per the industrial standards. The outcomes elucidated that silane treatment removed the extra lignin, hemicellulose, wax substances from the constituents of the Eichhornia crassipes fibers which increased the fiber bonding with the phenolic resin in brake pads. The silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers had the higher thermal stability, maximum degradation temperature (338.2ºC), and crystallinity index (33.17%) than untreated and alkali-treated fiber. The brake pads with silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers showed less acetone extraction value of 1.1%, proving its better curing and fade-recovery characteristics with the standard range as prescribed by industrial standards. Chase tested brake pads with silane-treated Eichhornia crassipes fibers had good fiber bonding and plateau formations as inferred from Scanning Electron Microscope.

摘要

研究了未经处理、碱处理和硅烷处理的凤眼莲纤维作为刹车片补强材料的适用性. 对未经处理、碱处理和硅烷处理的纤维的理化性能、热性能和结晶性能进行了评价. 采用化学改性纤维研制刹车片，并按工业标准对其性能进行了评价. 结果表明，硅烷处理去除了木素、半纤维素和蜡物质. 凤眼莲纤维增强了纤维与刹车片中酚醛树脂的结合. 硅烷处理的凤眼莲纤维的热稳定性、最大降解温度（338.2℃）和结晶指数（33.17%）均高于未处理和碱处理的凤眼莲纤维. 用硅烷处理凤眼莲纤维制成的刹车片丙酮提取率较低，仅为1.1%，证明其具有较好的固化和褪色恢复特性，符合工业标准规定的标准范围. 蔡斯测试刹车片硅烷处理凤眼莲纤维有良好的纤维结合和高原形成推断，从扫描电子显微镜.

KEYWORDS:

• Eichhornia crassipes
• Natural fiber
• Silane treatment
• Brake pads
• Worn surface morphology