Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Car Brake Pads with Phenolic/Nano Clay Nanocomposite

In this research, some brake pads have been produced by in situ polymerization method and dispersion of Nano clay (Montmorillonite) in a phenolic resin matrix. They possess a long life besides having a smooth and reliable braking ability. The optimum amount of Nano clay was determined to be 2/5% to prevent Nano clay molding and results in its uniform distribution in the phenolic resin bed, as well as increasing the mechanical properties of the brake pad. According to the results of the tests, in two formulations of the same brake pad, one without a Nano clay and the other containing Nano clay, the bending from 70 MPa to 76 MPa, the hardness of the samples from 83 to 91 (shore A), abrasion of samples from 4.2308 × 10 -7 to 3.8674 × 10-7, and the coefficient of friction from 0.228 to 0.232 have been changed, respectively.