Friction and wear of sintered metallic brake linings on a C/C-SiC composite brake disc

The friction and wear of sintered metallic brake linings on a C/C-SiC composite brake disc were studied. This paper reports on the friction and wear properties of sintered metallic (MMC) brake linings, which appear to combine well with a C/C-SiC brake disc. The friction characteristics were examined with a dynamometer on two different commercial motorcycle brake systems, differing in terms of the brake caliper and the dimensions of the disc. The influence of the components, such as graphite, and the abrasives in the metallic matrix on the formation of the friction layer was investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The friction layer formed on the pad's sliding surface by oxidation wear, which consisted mostly of iron and copper oxides, was confirmed. The friction properties of the sintered metallic brake pads were determined and related to the composition and structure of the brake lining. This investigation of the friction characteristics of a brake couple comprising (MMC) brake linings and a C/C-SiC composite disc will increase our understanding of this material, which works in a completely different way to classical brakes based on metallic discs.