Mechanical and chemical investigation of the temperature influence on the tribological mechanisms occurring in OMC/cast iron friction contact

The phenomenon of loss in braking efficiency at elevated temperatures is known as fade and is usually imputed to the degradation of the phenolic resin of organic matrix composite (OMC). In order to study the chemical, thermal and mechanical coupling, this paper deals with continuous friction tests under temperature control. In a first time, the chemical degradation processes of the material with increasing temperature are first studied using thermo-gravimetry and mass spectroscopy. In a second time, the friction tests allow to characterise the tribological behaviour of the material. Observations, analyses and profiles of the worn surfaces allow correlation between OMC degradation and friction mechanisms and their associated third-body flows. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.