Studies on Mechanical and Physical Characteristics of Cardanol in a High-Friction Composite Material

This work presents the influence of cardanol in a high-friction material as a binder resin. Cardanol is a natural derived resin which has a phenolic structure bonding which holds all the ingredients during mechanical stress. Five specimens were prepared (phenolic resin and 5, 10, 15, 20% cardanol resin) by varying cardanol resin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of phenolic and cardanol resins was done. Thermogravimetric analysis, physical and mechanical testing were done for all the samples. Result shows that 20% cardanol shows a better result for specific gravity, heat swell and loss of ignition. It also shows a low weight gain in water, salt water and lubricating oil. SEM analysis shows small broken metallic materials and be lost from the contact zone immediately after being broken from the composite surface.