ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to create an advanced brake pad employing hemp fiber in order to minimize the health risks associated with the cancer‐causing properties of asbestos fibers. Laminated plates were created using the hand lay‐up technique, combining hemp fibre reinforcement with an epoxy resin polymer matrix and using a frictional modifier Aluminum oxide powder as filler. These plates exhibit outstanding tensile strength and are sustainable for the environment. The fabrication process involved two unique categories of hemp fibers: untreated hemp fibers and hemp fibers treated with NaOH. The resin was used in a concentration of 60 wt.%, while the reinforcement was used in a concentration of 40 wt.%. The morphology, tensile strength, and flexural strength of laminates were analyzed after fabrication. Furthermore, a study was conducted on the braking time of an optimal low‐speed vehicle with a power rating of 250 W. The findings indicate that both the tensile and flexural strength exhibited an increase in the chemically treated samples compared to the untreated samples. In addition, there were no significant differences in the braking time for both types of samples, which fell within the range of 30–35 s. The findings of this study intend to offer significant insights into the utilization of hemp fiber reinforced polymer composites as an environmentally sustainable alternative, effectively meeting performance criteria in brake pad applications while addressing environmental issues.
Kumar et al. (2026) studied this question.