Analysis of Wear Behaviour of Locally Sourced Laterite-Reinforced Composite Brake Pads for Automotive Applications in South East Nigeria

The growing demand for affordable and environmentally sustainable friction materials in the Nigerian automotive aftermarket has prompted interest in developing composite brake pads from locally sourced reinforcement materials. This study investigates the wear behaviour and mechanical properties of brake pad composites incorporating laterite particles extracted from deposits in Enugu State as a partial replacement for conventional asbestos and resin binders. Test specimens were prepared at laterite weight fractions of 10, 20, and 30 percent, with epoxy resin as the matrix and cashew nut shell liquid as a secondary binder. Hardness, compressive strength, and wear rate were determined through standard laboratory tests following ASTM procedures. Friction coefficient was measured using a pin-on-disc tribometer under conditions simulating normal braking loads. Results showed that specimens with 20 percent laterite content achieved the best balance of properties, with a friction coefficient of 0.42, compressive strength of 68 MPa, and a wear rate of 0.0018 cubic millimetres per Newton-metre, all within acceptable ranges for automotive brake applications. Scanning electron microscopy of worn surfaces revealed uniform wear mechanisms without evidence of catastrophic delamination. The study demonstrates the technical feasibility of laterite-reinforced composite brake pads as a cost-effective alternative to imported friction materials. Keywords: composite brake pads, laterite reinforcement, wear behaviour, friction coefficient, automotive applications.