ABSTRACT
Natural fibres are used as reinforcement in friction composites to replace asbestos due to the health hazards caused by asbestos fibres which may cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Natural fibres such as corn, palm and sugar bars gave relatively high friction coefficient suitable for friction materials. It is necessary to investigate the variation of friction coefficient with temperature.  The present work discusses the fade of composites reinforced by corn, palm and sugar bar fibres. Experiments were carried out to determine friction coefficient and temperature rise for the tested composites. The results of the tested composites were compared to that observed from three types of conventional friction brake linings.
 
The experimental results show that composites containing 25 % palm fibres and 10 % iron powder gave the minimum fade among the conventional brake linings, while friction composites containing sugar bare fibres displayed the highest fade. Besides, addition of aluminium and copper into the matrix of the composites displayed relatively lower fade value due to their high thermal conductivity.