Tribological Studies

Tribological studies of commercial automotive brake pad materials sliding against a cast iron rotor material were performed to study frictional stability under wet and dry conditions. During coast-clown tests, friction spikes were observed for wet sliding only. Interfacial moisture suppressed the formation of thin transfer layers on the cast iron sliding surface and resulted in the tedency to "grab" just before stopping. This work was performed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan. ORNL's portion of the work was supported by the Department of Energy, Energy Research Laboratory Technology Transfer Program.

 

(Photo at right): Controlled-atmosphere pin-on-disk testing machine showing the remote-controlled pin lifter.