Parametric Effects on the Coefficient of Friction of a Novel Composite Material for Automobile Brake Linning

Brake lining, a friction lining material has over the years been produced mainly from asbestos. Asbestos health hazards have necessitated the need to source friction lining materials from other safer directions. A novel composite from local materials was developed. The brake lining production was a dispersion hardening process by the techniques of powder metallurgy of finely divided particles of the raw material powder mix. The raw materials included sawdust, resin, rubber latex, clay, carbon black, brass chips, zinc oxide and sulphur. The friction lining material thus produced, with its friction coefficient was analysed relative to its responses to increasing temperatures and pressures. The environment of increasing temperatures and pressures is its operating condition, in situ. Temperature range studied was from 300C-3000C, while pressure range was from 50KPa-250KPa. Results of the analysis showed the fiction coefficient not adversely affected, with minimum value at 0.31 and maximum value at 0.56.