Synergistic effect of organic- and ceramic-based ingredients on the tribological characteristics of brake friction materials

Abstract

In this study, the composition of a brake friction material was experimentally investigated with respect to the effects of the proportions of organic (cashew dust) and ceramic (ZrSiO4 and Fe2O3) based ingredients on the tribological properties. The tribological properties of the friction materials were evaluated using a Chase-type friction tester. The effect of the ingredient proportions on the wear resistance and friction stability were obtained in relation to the test temperature and the number of brakings. A scanning electron microscope was used to study the effect of braking on the sliding surface of the friction material. Results showed that the complementary nature of the organic- and ceramic-based ingredients provided the optimum friction behaviour, such as the coefficient of friction stability and the wear resistance.