The force that prevents one solid item from moving across another is known as friction. Using friction materials helps minimize wear while producing regulated friction for braking or power transfer applications. Typical applications include clutch plates, bonded assemblies, friction bands, liners, rolls, brake pads, and brake shoes. Industrial purchasers must consider the material, type, applications, and advantages when choosing friction materials.

Types of friction materials and their benefits

Friction materials create friction between two solid surfaces to control or halt forward or backward motion. Organic and non-organic substances, including resin, ceramics, textiles, and metals, make friction materials. Keep in mind that friction materials have a finite lifespan due to the nature of their purpose. Therefore it is necessary to monitor them and make replacement arrangements. Let’s look at the common friction materials:

Ceramic

Ceramic materials are reliable and suitable for uses involving huge loads. They can resist more heat than conventional friction materials, but due to their hardness, they wear out quickly.

Aramid fibers

Aramid fibers, like Kevlar (DuPont), combine the smooth interaction of organic materials with the pulling power of ceramics. When applied appropriately, kevlar can outlive conventional friction materials by two to five times. It offers remarkable thermal stability and is stronger, lighter, and more durable than steel.

Organic

Organic materials are now primarily created from other materials rather than asbestos, initially the dominant component.

Metallic

Cast iron, steel, and bronze or copper alloys are examples of metallic friction materials. The most common materials used to make organic facings are brass and fiberglass.

Semi-metallic

Metal fibers offer the structure and friction for semi-metallic pads first. The metals utilized are often premium steel, copper, and other rare metals. A range of substances, including adhesives, lubricants, and structural fibers like Kevlar, comprise the other semi-metallic mixture component. OEM and aftermarket manufacturers continue to use semi-metallic friction materials because they can generate consistent levels of hot and cold torque.

Also utilized as friction materials are molded thermoset resins, cork, rubber, carbon and graphite, and thermoset resins.

Uses of friction materials

Automotive, military, industrial, and mining uses all require friction materials. The primary function of friction materials is to transfer power safely and efficiently while reducing wear.

Brake pads and brake shoes, clutch plates, discs, slip clutch, bonded assemblies, friction bands, liners, and rolls are some of the Kor Pak products that use friction materials. Buyers should mention the coefficient of friction for the product under both normal and hot circumstances when choosing a friction material. The retarding force produced when two sliding surfaces are held against each other by an applied normal force depends on the coefficient of friction of a material.

conclusion

Research and trial and error may be necessary to choose the best friction material for your machine. The best action is to test some friction material on your equipment. This way, you can determine whether the friction materials meet their claims. It can also give you more confidence to know that the company from which you purchase friction items has invested in friction material testing.