Effect of silane surface treatment on the physico-mechanical properties of shell powder reinforced epoxy modified phenolic friction composite

Physico-mechanical performance of the epoxy modified phenolic friction composite reinforced with silane surface treated crab, periwinkle, and scallop shell powders were evaluated based on Extension Evaluation Method (EEM). The shell powders were silane surface treated and their morphologies and thermal behaviors were studied using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and thermo-gravimetric analyzer. SEM morphology shows that the scallop shell powders are finer then the periwinkle and crab shell powders which played a major role in enhancing the surface and physico-mechanical properties of the scallop shell powders and its friction pads. Thermal analysis indicates that the untreated scallop shell powders are most stable thermally. The physico-mechanical properties of the friction composites were studied based on IS 2742 standard. The physico-mechanical and chemical properties observed for the periwinkle and scallop shell based friction composites are well within the recommended values of the OEM and also showed the best results among the chosen fillers. The outcome of this work based on EEM indicates that the silane surface treated scallop shell and periwinkle shell powder could be a potential friction material to be used in brake pads/linings of light and medium duty commercial vehicles.