Formulation Optimization of Friction Material with Golden Section Approach

The formulation of boron phenolic resin (BPR)-based nonmetallic friction material was optimized with a Golden Section approach. Eight ingredients were selected as raw materials and divided into three groups: fiber (aramid pulp and K2Ti6O13), filler (nitrile rubber, vermiculite, potash feldspar, graphite, and BaSO4), and resin (BPR). The optimization of formulations was performed in three steps: (1) finding the optimal proportion of each fiber and filler within their groups; (2) optimizing the proportion between fibers and fillers; (3) searching for the optimal volume fraction of resin. The friction coefficient and specific wear rate of composites were chosen to evaluate the formulation. After performing 18 formulation experiments with an MRH-3-type ring-on-block test rig measuring the tribological performance of friction materials, the optimal formulation (F14) was eventually obtained with moderate mu and low specific wear rate.