Friction Material (brake pads) for Metal Matrix Drums

Century Inc. has designed and manufactured aluminum metal matrix composite (MMC) brake drums for multiple applications with great success. These applications include military and commercial applications with axle loads ranging from 8,000 lbs to 23,000 lbs. As applications vary the torque requirements of the brake system also vary. To work with multiple brake systems multiple friction materials are required to couple with the aluminum MMC brake drums. This ?family? of friction materials needs to encompass both low to high coefficients of friction. Currently available friction materials work very well in low to medium coefficient of friction (Mu) applications such as commercial brake systems. The purpose of this proposal is to look at the high Mu materials. This proposal entails fully analyzing known friction materials that work in low to medium Mu applications. This information will be used to then determine modifications that will optimize friction material performance for friction level, fade, recovery, speed sensitivity, noise, and wear. The completion of this Phase 1 SBIR will demonstrate new formulations that will complete the current ?family? of friction materials. A Phase 1 option in this proposal will allow the initial material properties and performance data to be collected with these new formulations.