Dry sliding behavior of carbon-based brake pad materials

Abstract

The brake pad plays a crucial role in the control of vehicle and machinery equipment and subsequent safety. There is always a need for a new functional material with improved properties than existing ones. The present research study was carried out to develop a new brake pad material made up of polymer nanocomposite for enhanced physical, mechanical, and frictional characteristics in comparison to existing brake pad materials. In this study, polymer nanocomposite samples were developed and their physical properties namely density, water-oil absorption, and porosity were evaluated. Mechanical hardness of developed samples was estimated with Vicker’s hardness tester. Frictional characteristics of samples and wear values determined with pin or disc apparatus. Dry sliding behavior was examined by conducting multiple trials with sliding speed in the span of 2-10 m/s and load were changed from 20 N to 100 N to discuss the effect of velocity, the effect of nominal contact pressure and the effect of sliding distance on friction and temperature parameters. Morphology of prepared brake pad samples was characterized with the scanning electron microscope. Scanning electron micrographs of brake pad surfaces showed different shape wear debris and plateaus significantly affecting the friction characteristics. Developed samples along with commercial specimens show excellent resistance to water and oil absorption. Thus obtained results for evaluated polymer nanocomposite brake pad samples demonstrate their potential for brake pad applications.