Effect of boron on friction and temperature characteristics of brake pad materials

Frictionmaterial in a brake systemplays an important role for effective and safe brake performance. Brake materials containmainlyAlumina and other ingredients. This research attempts to examine mechanical properties of Boronmixed brake pads. Five groups of semi-metallic composite materials were studied. Friction coefficient of Boron mixed and commercial brake padswere significantly different.Average friction coefficient of Boronmixed pads was 0.495, 0.065 higher than commercial pad. Abrupt reduction of friction coefficient which is known as fade was more significant in the commercial pad samples than in Boron mixed pads. Fade occurred in commercial pad sample at the lower temperature as first fade was at 204oC and second was at 159oC resulted fromearlier softening and degradation of Alumina material.All Boron pads were more stable and constant than their commercial counterparts. The study shows a slight reduction of friction coefficient at a temperature of 204oC during the first fade and 238oC on the second for Boron mixed pads. Both commercial and Boron mixed brake pads showed normal recovery stage in that they returned to their pre-fade friction coefficient levels with little temperature reduction. Properties of Boronmixed brake pads are better than Commercial brake pads.