One of the natural fiber considered to replace syntetic fiber is Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) fiber which offer advantages such as environment friendly and widely available especially in indonesia . This study investigates the characteristics of railway brake block with OPEFB fibres compare to synthetic fiber. All the test results were compared to the technical requirement of PT. Kereta Api Indonesia (PT. KAI ) and evaluated using Extension Evaluation Method (EEM) to select and get the best sample. From the evaluation results using EEM, one of non commercial sample using OPEFB fiber give a better results compare to commercial sample using synthetic fibers. So it can be concluded that OPEFB fiber as reinforcement for railway brake material could improve physical and mechanical properties of the material, environment friendly and could replace synthetic fibers.

One of the eligibility brakes requirements that used by railway is the fulfillment of the prescribed limit of friction coefficien. Test performed to determination railway brake block friction coefficient using pin on disc test. This test convert brake force into normal force on load cell that could be replace by balance. But due to the existing gap between arm force and brake force, error could be happened. To minimalized this error, that gap had to be reduced. In this research, the gap was reduced from 4.5 cm to 1 cm. Data recording was modified from manual recording into automatic recording using LabView program. This modified was very usefull because recording data could be done easily.

The use of composites for railway brake provides several benefits among others: five times lighter than cast iron, install easily, lifetime five times longer, lower wear rate, cost to lifetime ratio better than other. Studies about composite brake have been done before. Optimum composition have been found also. But when the composition is applied to the manufacture of the prototype, the results are unsatisfactory. Therefore it needs advanced research abaout composition and procedure of process. In this studies, effect of phenolic resin and alignment would be researched. Results of that studies shows that addition of phenolic resin improve the quality of the prototype. Crack would be occured if position of the prototype was not alignment with the axis of dies.

No abstract