Effect of type of carbon matrix on tribological properties of C/C aircraft brake discs

Abstract

Four type of Carbon/Carbon (C/C) composite brake discs (A, B, C, D) were manufactured using different process routes, using spun yarn graphitised carbon fabric as reinforcement. These discs were densified with different types of carbon matrices derived from different precursor materials. C/C brake disc of type A is having carbon matrix derived from pitch precursor, type B has a mixture of resin and pitch derived carbon matrices, type C has a combination of resin derived, pyro and pitch derived carbons and type D has pyro and pitch derived carbon matrices. Friction and wear performance of these brake discs were studied by simulating aircraft landing braking energies (normal and over load) corresponding to one interface using disc-on-disc dynamometer. It was found that the type of carbon matrix influences the nature of friction film formed, which in turn affects the wear rate of C/C brake discs. It was also discussed how the matrix characteristics affected the mechanical properties and the friction film formed affect the coefficient of friction of each type of disc.