Brakes & clutches
Know how to slow
Knowing how to make a good brake really means knowing how to slow down. During the braking process, kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy, transferring rolling friction to sliding friction, in turn transferring heat through the contact components. A good brake pad combines the required level of coefficient of friction with minimal fade, reliability, as well as low noise, vibrations, wear and dust levels.
Brake pads, like their users, are diverse and differ region by region. Passenger cars tend to use resin bonded brake pads (either low-mets, semi-mets, non-asbestos organic or ceramic), while rail, heavy-duty commercial, motorcycles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and wind turbines tend to use sintered metallic pads.
Each type comes with its own set of advantages. Resin bonded friction materials require a stable friction coefficient, low fade and disc drag, low rotor and pad wear, acceptable noise levels, dampened vibrations, and are targeting a more environmentally friendly solution utilizing copper free brake pads Sintered friction applications, on the other hand, allow for consistent compressibility and excellent sintering, have uncompromised mechanical properties, low swelling, high resistance to wear and a high stable friction coefficient.
Each mineral and friction component used in the production of brake pads plays a specific role. Abrasives are a key component as they increase the friction coefficient and improve the stopping performance while contributing to stable friction levels during braking performance and can add to thermal conduction. Binders, as the name suggests, hold the various components together and are equally important. Fillers, in a similar vein, fill voids, increase the thermal conductivity and improve manufacturability by reducing overall costs. Lubricants stabilize the developed friction coefficient during braking, specifically at high temperature and, importantly, counter the wear of the abrasive materials while also enhancing thermal conductivity.
Behind the scenes, the reinforcing fibers improve the mechanical strength of brake pads, allow the producer to modify friction through structure enhancement and improve the manufacturing of the pads.
We are experts in developing safe, high performance, cost-effective tailor made carbon solutions for brakes and clutches. Our TimrexⓇ and TimrexⓇ C-ThermTM lines include graphite powders and cokes which are ideal for use in both sintered friction materials and resin and paper bonded sintered materials.
We are also a leading supplier of monoclinic zirconia powders for use as additives into brake pad formulations for passenger cars and light truck applications. Our Z99 monoclinic products were found to offer significant benefits when used in brake pads resulting in reduced pad and rotor wear, lower noise, improved thermal stability and the reduced onset of fade.
