DEVELOPMENT AND CORROSION RESISTANCE PERFORMANCE OF GREEN AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE PADS DEVELOPED FROM THE WASTE SHELLS OF GIANT AFRICAN SNAILS

Abstract

In this study, morphological and corrosion analyses (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical tests) were used to investigate the properties of newly developed, non-toxic organic brake pads. The green automotive brake pads were developed from waste giant African snail shell as reinforcement materials. Also, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the functional group of the developed brake pad samples. The developed brake pad corrosion resistance was studied using open circuit potential (OCP), Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the surface morphology of the developed green brake pad. The findings revealed that the developed brake pad with a 75-grain size exhibited optimal corrosion resistance when compared to the control, 40µm and 90µm, samples. SEM analysis revealed enhanced interfacial bonding between the binder and snail shell particles as the grain size decreased, attributed to improved bonding and reduced inter-packing distance with decreasing sieve grade. The existence of corrosion debris was more evident on the deformed surface of the control sample compared to the developed brake pad samples. The study showed that the brake pad developed from snail shells has better morphological and corrosion resistance performance than the control sample brake pads and can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles.