EFFECT OF MECHANICAL AND PHYSICALPROPERTIES ON BRAKE PADS PRODUCED FROM BAGASSE, BANANA PEELS AND PERIWINKLE SHELL

The study examined the effect of some mechanical and physical properties on brake pads produced from bagasse, banana peels and periwinkle shell in order to determine the materials suitability to develop new asbestos-free brake pads.These materials were sourced locally at Ede, Osun state.Samples were produced from different mix ratios of constituents using two sieve grades of 180 and 250 μm particle sizes. The percentage weights (wt%) of bagasse, banana peels and periwinkle shells were varied while those of crystalline silica, lead sulphide and epoxy resin were constant for both sieve grades. The density of each sample decreases from 2298 - 1199 Kg/m3 as the sieve grade increases. Also, the oil and water absorption rates increase from 0.007 - 0.022% and 0.012 - 0.037% respectively with an increase in sieve grade. Thehardness values of the brake pads produced range from 79.7 to 89.4 HRB and 77.1 to 84.8 HRB for both sieve grades, respectively. Likewise, the values of impact strength for the sieve grades ranged from 18.89 to 27.10J/mm and 17.97 to 24.85 J/mm, respectively.The samples B and C consisting of 15 wt% bagasse, 15 wt% banana peels, 30 wt% periwinkle shell, 10 wt% crystalline silica, 10 wt% lead sulphide, 20 wt% resin and 15 wt% bagasse, 30 wt% banana peels, 15 wt% periwinkle shell, 10 wt% crystalline silica, 10 wt% lead sulphide and 20 wt% resin for sieve grade of 180 μm, respectively, were regarded as the best among others because they gave the greatest properties. Therefore, the study concluded that the use of bagasse, banana peels and periwinkle shells as reinforced materials have properties suitable for the production of brake pads