Wear Performance of Asbestos-Free Brake Pad Materials.

Brake lining performance is influenced by configuration of friction material, functional speeds, load, and temperature. Asbestos friction materials are injurious to human health and, therefore, replacement is needed, hence an alternate material with desired tribo-mechanical properties is to be investigated. In this paper, the wear characterestics of two asbestos-free friction materials sliding against grey cast iron disc were investigated. A metallic based (viz:AF-22) and fine brass based (viz:CL-3003) were prepared by compression moulding process that required pin samples. Wear experiments were performed using a Pin-on-disc tribo-tester. The wear rates were compared under various temperature, sliding speed, and pressure conditions using Taguchi's L9 orthogonal array. The wear rate of AF-22 was observed between 2.01 to 2.17 mm³/N.m., and for CL-3003 (1.49 to 1.66 mm³/N.m). Ranking of the parameters based on the experimental findings and the S/N ratio analysis was done. Temperature is the most influencing parameter, i.e. 82.96% for AF-22 and 87.95% for CL-3003 material. The EDS technique was used to understand material composition. At various magnifications, SEM images of brake pad materials were investigated. Further investigation under in-situ condition is recommended for these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]