Date of Award

5-1-2017

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Filip, Peter

Abstract

Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted for the development of alternative materials for better performance of brake pads. With a huge selection of materials, automobile manufacturers must prioritize the performance standards, safety, cost and environmental factors of the brake pads. To improve the friction performance of brake pads, maintain customers comfort level and environment safety, design engineers test and verify the best materials to satisfy the federal performance standards. Raw materials of brake pads compose of different categories such as organic, semi metallic and low-metallic. Besides the difference in composition, these materials affect the brake pads in terms of friction properties, wear rates and noise levels. It is crucial for engineers and manufacturers to improve friction stability while minimizing vibration by manipulating the composition of different raw materials and additive materials. Automotive brake pads normally consist of numerous metallic and composite materials that are formed by hot compression which can result in various mechanical properties [14]. This research proposes to investigate different composition of metallic raw materials and how their frictional performance is affected under different environmental testing standards. This research investigates the frictional performance of six types of raw materials with different mechanical properties and morphology using a universal mechanical tester (Bruker UMT). This paper examines the overall friction performance, coefficient of friction and creep groan behavior of six different raw materials under different humidity levels. By scrutinizing the static and kinetic coefficient of friction(COF) at different humidity levels, humidity-induced friction instability at low speed is studied and presented in this paper. After performing friction tests for each material, it was concluded that the friction performance and kinetic coefficient of friction of the brake pad samples were drastically affected by longer exposure to humid air.

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