Influence of alkali treatment concentration (3% vs 5%) on physical and tribo-mechanical performance of Areva Javanica infused friction composites

This study optimized alkaline treatment for Areva Javanica fiber in brake composites, testing fixed NaOH concentrations (3%, 5%) across three soaking times (45, 60, 75 min). Physical properties (density, moisture, hot/cold shear strength) and tribological performance (Coefficient of friction (COF), specific wear rate (SWR) via pin-on-disc) were analyzed. A brake pad was procured from aftermarket and was used for quantitative comparison and industrial relevance. Results identified that the 5% NaOH, 60 min soaked sample had enhanced density of 2.42 g/cc while the loss of weight on ignition was only 21.66%. The hot shear was found to be enhance in the 45 min 5% NaOH sample as 28 kg/cm 2 with an enhanced hardness of 98.3. The 5% NaOH for 60 min was overall found to be optimal, with significantly enhancing fiber-matrix adhesion, reducing moisture, and improving thermal stability. This yielded the most stable COF (∼0.45–0.55). Shorter times caused poor cleaning and higher wear; longer times degraded fibers, harming stability. Also, the specific wear rate (SWR) for the 5% NaOH 60 min sample was validated to be the lowest among all treated samples for a maximum 80 N load with speed of 3 m/s in the pin-on-disc test. Validation via Extension Evaluation confirmed the 60-minute treatment as superior. The work establishes soaking time as a critical parameter for transforming Areva Javanica into a viable, sustainable reinforcement for eco-friendly brake pads.