COMPOSITE MATERIAL WITH CAST IRON MATRIX DESIGNED FOR BRAKE SYSTEMS OF TECHNICAL MEANS OF TRANSPORT

The paper presents the basics of manufacturing and the tribological properties of the developed cast ironceramic composite designed for brake discs or drums. The matrix of the composite consists of GJL-150 grey cast iron used for the production of brake discs. The reinforcing phase is a SiC foam with an activated surface. The use of ceramic foam simplifies the production process because it does not require expensive mixing of the matrix and the reinforcing phase to ensure the homogeneity of the composite. An addition of 10% SiC (λSiC=100-350 Wm-1K-1) improves the thermal conductivity of cast iron (λCI=50-60 Wm-1K-1). The presence of foam elements homogenously distributed throughout the whole matrix volume reduces the wear of both the composite and the counter-sample. The results of comparative studies of contacts between the cast iron and the composite brake disc showed almost a threefold lower wear of the pad and disc and about a 10°C lower temperature in the pad near the friction zone under the pressure of 1 MPa and at a sliding velocity of 0.5 m/s. The significantly lower wear of the friction elements of the brake system will contribute to a reduction in environmental pollution by wear debris, which is required by European Union directives.