Sustainable composite brake pads were processed by employing recycled end-of-life tire (ELT) rubber particles obtained by means of cryogenic grinding and ambient grinding. The effect of the grinding mechanism and concentration of ELT rubber particles was then reported. From the friction result test, better behavior in terms of coefficient of friction (COF) was obtained when 3% of ELT rubber particles were introduced into the composite. It was demonstrated that the size of the particles is not as determinant as the friction mechanism in the wear properties of the sustainable brake pads. Whereas, while increasing the ELT rubber particle size acts as detrimental to the COF either in the ambient or cryogenic grinding, at high friction distances, the better adhesion of the particles because of the rough surface of the particles subjected to ambient grinding enhances the long-life behavior of the composite brake pads.
Keywords: brake pads; circular economy; composites; end-of-life tire rubber; recycling.