Tribology of PDMS-modified eco-friendly brake pads to minimize environmental and health hazards

The environmental and health concerns associated with conventional brake pad materials containing heavy metals and toxic additives, hence necessitate the development of sustainable friction composites. This study presents an eco-friendly brake pad material reinforced with benzoylated Pseudoxytenanthera stocksii (bamboo) fibers, incorporating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into a phenol-formaldehyde resin-based matrix as a sustainable alternative to graphene. The composite (C10S8) was fabricated via compression molding and subjected to comprehensive physical, mechanical, and tribological characterization. The incorporation of PDMS significantly enhanced friction stability, wear resistance, and mechanical properties, including hardness, density, and thermal stability, while reducing void content and increasing hydrophobicity. CHASE tribometer evaluations confirmed the composite's performance under realistic braking conditions, demonstrating reduced wear rates and particulate emissions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of wear debris revealed minimal metallic content, suggesting a substantial reduction in carcinogenic particulates. These findings highlight the potential of PDMS-modified friction composites in mitigating brake wear pollution, offering a viable strategy for sustainable tribological applications.