Wear debris from brake system materials: A multi-analytical characterization approach

In this work a streamline characterization protocol for debris coming from wear tests on materials used for disc brake assemblies is presented. An important aspect of the methodology concerns powder collection involving aluminum foil, for a gravitational collection, and polycarbonate filters of an impactor, on which particles are selectively trapped, according to their size. The protocol is based on the application of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray and selected area electron diffraction. The aim of the study was to identify selection parameters, like specimen availability and average particle size, for an effective and smart application of the techniques.