Application of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber to Improve the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Composite Railway Brake Block Materials

Abstract

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.

Properties of nylon-6-based composite reinforced with coconut shell particles and empty fruit bunch fibres

“…The main advantages of these renewable fillers are their low cost and low specific density provided that mechanical strength of the matrix can be maintained or enhanced. Applications of natural fibre composites include interior [1] and exterior automotive components [2, 3]. Hemp and flax fibre composites have also been utilised in sporting goods, mobility equipment, furniture, interior design, lighting applications [4] and for energy absorption structures [5].…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Asbestos Free Brake Pads Composite using Elaeocarpus Ganitrus as Reinforcement

“…The average high density value is 3.0447 g/cm 3 , influenced by the addition of 12% of the weight fraction of elaeocarpus ganitrus seed powder. The use of elaeocarpus ganitrus seed powder reinforcement has the effect of producing a high density value, which is 3.0447 g/cm 3 , exceeding the specifications for railroad brakes, which is 2.4 g/cm 3 [46]. We suggest for fur-© Mohamad Afiefudin, Rahmat Doni Widodo, Rusiyanto Automotive Experiences 368 ther study had higher density in range 5.1 g/cm 3 -7.2 g/cm 3 [47], [48].…”

Effect of Phenolic Resin and Alignment to the Quality of Prototype Composite Railway Brake Blocks

“…The advantages of composite brake bloks when it were compared to metallic brake blocks are : (1) five times lighter (2) easier to install, (2) lifespan five times longer, (3) lower wear rate [1] Figure 1. Railway brake block [2] Composite railway brake consists of several types of materials : binder, filler, reinforcement, and friction modifier [3][4]. Composition of each material would effect to mechanical properties of composite brake block.…”