Characterization of Commercial Automotive Brake Pad Materials

Abstract

In automotive parts market, there are two classes of commercial brake pad that are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket (Non-OEM spare part). In manufacturing of commercial brake pad materials, the difference of ingredient or concentration used is important because of differences in characteristics and cost. It is well known that the OEM brake pads are more expensive than the Non-OEM brake pads. In this study, the OEM and the Non-OEM of passenger car brake pad were evaluated in order to obtain a comparison of friction characteristics, composition, and microstructure between them. The OEM and the Non-OEM brake pad were purchased, cut out to form specimen, and then evaluated to obtain material characteristics. Specimens were subjected to friction testing using pin on disc machine and microstructure examinations. The results show that the OEM brake pad material has lower and more stable in coefficient of friction than the Non-OEM brake pad material. The OEM brake pad material also has more wear resistance than the Non-OEM brake pad material. Examinations using SEM/EDS show that the OEM brake pad material contains metallic fillers that are Cu and Fe, on the other hand, the Non-OEM brake pad material does not contain metallic filler. The Non-OEM brake pad material uses asbestos as reinforcement.