Comparative Braking Performance Evaluation of a Commercial and Non-asbestos, Cu-free, Carbonized Friction Composites

Carbonization treatment contributes to improvement of tribological properties of friction composites. Pure Non-asbestos organic (NAO) friction raw materials were selected, friction composite specimens had been made using a new mixing process and carbonization treatment. Two types of specimens had been prepared to evaluate their performance, one was carbonized a pure non-asbestos organic friction composite specimen and the other was an original brake metal linings of a certain brand of vehicles. Two friction composites were evaluated by brake inertia dynamometer. Their performances were assessed according to the procedure in a European Union Automobile Standards (AK Master). Microscopic photographs of worn surfaces were obtained by scanning electron microscopy to characterize their tribological behavior and wear mechanism. The results showed that pure NAO friction composites had more suitable frictional properties, fade and recovery behavior than the copper-containing metal brake pad, but wear resistance was slightly lower. Carbonation promoted the formation of microporous structure in friction composites, which was helpful to reduce noise and vibration during work.