Taguchi Method Optimization of Water Absorption Behavior by Wheat Straw-Basalt Hybrid Brake Pad Composite

The application of biomass-derived composite material is in high demand worldwide various commercial sectors, including automotive, due to its durable, cost-effective, and environment-friendly characteristics. However, one the limiting factors biomass-based composites higher water absorption capacity compared synthetic composites. Therefore, this study aimed optimize biomass-based, wheat straw fiber-basalt hybrid brake pad using Taguchi method by considering particle size volume % compositions. synthesized carried two variations sizes basalt, straw, steel, river sand, graphite, as well two-volume percentages epoxy resin for optimization. All were molded a compression molding process at compressive pressure 6 MPa 2 h curing forced convection oven 100 °C. Water has been determined according ASTM D570. fiber chemically treated with 5 wt.% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) remove impurities, lignin, hemicellulose increase surface area fiber, resulting larger contact between matrix. Elemental analysis, crystallinity, morphology, mechanical strength fiber-based have XRD, SEM, tests, respectively. statistical method, analysis variance (ANOVA), was implemented optimization maximum minimum obtained 77 MPa, 3.55%, 26.86%, From optimum setting confirmation experiment, optimal value 5.718% obtained. compositions 1 mm basalt particle, 0.5 steel graphite dust 30 vol% method. parameter impact ranking on presented improvement absorption, 10.47%, sand size.