Release of volatile organic compounds by oxidative wear of automotive friction materials

A low-metallic, brake lining formulation was tested using the ISO 26867 friction evaluation standard procedure in an automotive full-scale brake dynamometer. Sampling of non-airborne debris, suspended airborne particles (PM10) and air was performed directly in the environmental chamber. Released volatiles and semi volatile organics were analyzed using GC/MS, Pyr/GC/MS, FTIR and carbon phase analysis. Occurrence of important groups of volatile organic compounds as PAHs and BTEXs with possible adverse effects on living organisms was confirmed.