Theoretical and Experimental Study of Carbon Brake Discs Frictionally Induced Thermoelastic Instability

Abstract

Frictionally induced thermoelastic instability (TEI) arises when the positive feedback between the contact pressures and temperatures become more than negative one. The first one exists due to thermal expansion of the material, and the second one due to the surface wear. TEI is typical mainly for brake systems, because of their high thermal load (Afferrante et al. Were 254:136 (2003) [1]; Zagrodzki Int. J. Solids Struct. 46:2463 (2009) [2]. Usually TEI leads to vibrations, noise and increased wear in brake systems. In this chapter, we examine the connection between TEI and wear resistance for two composite materials based on carbon fibers (graphite and carbonated) and pitch carbon matrix. Composite, based on graphite fibers (TERMAR ADF-OS), has long been used in industry as a material for aircraft brake discs (JSC “Rubin”), and has stable characteristics and high wear resistance. The material on the base of carbonized fiber (TERMAR ADF-KV) is new and be in process of testing.