This study investigates the optimization of the process parameters in the development of ecofriendly automotive brakepads from agro-wastes of nko-nko (Thais Coronata L.) seashells (NSS) reinforcement materials using central composite facedcentered design (CCF). The brakepad composites was developed by compression moulding using seashells reinforcement, epoxy resin binder, CaCO3 filler, methyl-ethyl-ketone peroxide catalyst, carbon black friction modifier, iron filing abrasives and copper fillings thermal conductivity enhancer. Twenty samples of NSS brakepads were developed from 3-levels of 3 process parameters, namely; curing time, curing temperature and moulding pressure as independent variables. The physicomechanical and tribological properties of the samples were measured as dependent variables for the optimization. Response surface multivariate quadratic models, signal–to–noise ratio and ANOVA were employed in the optimization. The determined optimal process parameters for the developed NSS brakepads were 13MPa moulding pressure, 165℃ curing temperature and 3h curing time. The measured properties of the developed samples were compared with those of two commercial (control) samples. EDX spectroscopy results showed the presence of toxic heavy metals (7-40% Sb, 6.44-12.88%Ti, traces of Se, Sn, Mo) in the commercial (control) samples unlike the NSS samples. The comparative analysis showed superior performance of the developed brakepads relative to the control samples.
Engr. E.O. Ekpruke is a doctoral student of Mechanical Engineering at the Africa Center of Excellence- Center for Oilfields Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR) and a Research Officer at the Applied Mechanics & Design (AMD) Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt. He has seven (7) published journal articles with several others currently under review. His research interest is in the area of nonlinear dynamics and materials engineering.
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