Influence of thermal conductivity and thermal stability on the fade and recovery characteristics of non-asbestos semi-metallic disc brake pad

Thermal conductivity and thermal stability are the key requirements for friction materials. In this present work, three non-asbestos semi-metallic brake pads were developed using the same ingredients in the same proportion except by varying steel fibre by 30, 35, 41 wt%, synthetic barites contents by 11, 6, 0 wt% and designated as Na01, Na02, and Na03. The pads were tested for thermal stability and thermal conductivity. The various characterizations of the developed samples were done as per various industrial standards. The composites were tested for the fade and recovery characteristics using full-scale inertia brake dynamometer scheduled as per JASO C 406 standards. It was observed that composite Na03 proved to be the best with good thermal stability and thermal conductivity leading to low fade and high recovery characteristics. Scanning Electron Microscope and Atomic Force Microscopy helped to study the surface wear morphology of the developed samples.