Influence of Palm Kernel Shell Particle Size on Fade and Recovery Behaviour of Non-asbestos Organic Friction Material

Friction material for automotive application was developed using pulverised palm kernel shell (PKS). Five composites containing twelve ingredients along with the PKS as abrasive with five particle grain sizes viz. 0.212mm, 0.300mm, 0.425mm, 0.600mm and 0.850mm respectively were formulated and evaluated for physico-mechanical properties and fade and recovery behaviour. Fade and recovery tests were conducted using the Chase test machine following SAE J661 standard. It was observed that friction performance, friction fade and recovery, wear and mechanical properties were significantly influenced by the particle grain sizes. The sample with an average particle size of 0.300mm exhibited a better fade and recovery behaviour as well as the least wear degradation when compared to the remaining samples.