Revolutionizing green tribology through silicon oil-enhanced bamboo fiber composites for eco-friendly brake pad applications

A novel eco-friendly friction composite has been developed using non-toxic, biodegradable materials, incorporating benzoylated Pseudoxytenanthera stocksii (P. stocksii) bamboo fibers as reinforcement, along with natural fillers and a chemically modified binder matrix. To enhance thermal and tribological performance, thermally stable silicon oil, recognized for its superior oxidative resistance and lubricant efficiency, was employed in place of conventional graphene additives. Silicon oil exhibited a high coefficient of friction (COF) of 2.22, making it an ideal lubricant additive for frictional applications. The developed composites demonstrated remarkable thermal stability, with degradation temperatures ranging from 615°C to 700°C. Raman spectroscopic analysis confirmed the uniform dispersion of silicon oil throughout the matrix. Rockwell hardness measurements indicated a surface hardness of 93 HRL, while pin-on-disc tribological testing revealed the influence of varying weight percentages of modified matrix and lubricant on composite performance. Taguchi L16 orthogonal array design, validated through ANOVA analysis, identified the C10S8 formulation as optimal, exhibiting a consistent COF of 0.53–0.55, frictional stability between 96% and 98%, and a specific wear rate (SWR) of 1–1.7 × 10 −5 mm 3 /Nm. SEM analysis further confirmed the improved surface morphology and integrity of the worn surfaces. The synergistic effect of silicon oil and modified resin enhanced the physical, mechanical, and tribological characteristics of the composite, making it a strong candidate for eco-efficient brake pad applications in the automotive sector.