Influence of External Air Velocity for Tribological Characteristics between Sintered Friction Material and Disk

Cu-matrix sintered brake pads and low-alloy heat-resistant steel are commonly applied to basic brake systems in high-energy moving machines. In this research, we analyzed the tribological characteristics to determine the influence of the air velocity between the disk and pad. At a low brake pressure with airflow, the friction stability was decreased as a result of the lack of tribofilm formation at the disk surface. However, there were no significant changes in the friction coefficient under any of the test conditions. The wear rates of the friction materials were decreased with an increase in the airflow velocity. As a result, the airflow velocity influenced the friction stability, as well as the wear rate of the friction materials and disk, but not the friction coefficient.