The Substitution Effects of Oil Palm Shell Charcoal, Coconut Fiber and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Composite for Railway Brake Blocks

Research on development of composite for railway brake blocks with natural resources substitution have already done. Charcoal from oil palm shell with carbonization temperature of 800 oC used as friction modifier, whereas coconut fiber and empty fruit bunched fiber used as reinforcement material. Composites were formed into 100mm x 30mm x 15mm mold (length x width x thickness). The composition of composites consisted from aluminium oxide, oil palm shell charcoal, barium sulphate, phenolic resin, calcium hydroxide, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), ferrum, and coconut fiber / empty fruit bunched by weight percentage, respectively for 10%, 25%, 16.75%, 14.75%, 12.5%, 5%, 14%, and 2%. All materials made in powder form with a size of 40 mesh to 60 mesh. The manufacture of railway brake blocks were divided into two stages. First stage by mixing all the forming materials, except natural fiber. After being mixed uniformly, fibers placed into the mixer and stirred for 10 minutes. Samples were placed into the mold and pressure given with heated to 200 oC. Samples were removed from the mold and experienced by post-curing process, which was still receiving heat without pressure. Samples were conditioned at room temperature for 7 days then tested for physical and mechanical properties using PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) specifications techniques for railway brake blocks T 358 N type. Composites brake block from oil palm shell charcoal and empty fruit bunched fiber are sligthly better than composite brake blocks from oil palm shell charcoal and coconut coir fibers. Proceedings of The 7th International Symposium of IWoRS 5-6 November 2015, Bandung. Hal. 256-263 ISSN 2459-9867