Some physical and mechanical properties of asbestos-free experimental brake pad

This paper highlights the physical and mechanical properties of asbestos-free laboratory automobile disk brake pad. Using standard tests and experimental methods, the properties of the new asbestos-free brake pad were determined. These properties include compressive strength, shear strength, Brinell hardness, impact strength, tensile strength, specific gravity, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, porosity, average wear (mg/application), coefficient of friction, thickness swell in water after 24 hours, thickness swell in oil (SAE40) after 24 hours, and flame resistance test after 10 minutes. The results show that the new brake pad has Brinell hardness (at 3000kgf) of 92, coefficient of friction, 0.43; specific gravity of 1.65; compressive strength of 103MPa and the average wear of 4.4mg/brake application. The results compared favourably with the commercial brake pad.