Thermal characterisation of brake pads

The chemical-physical decomposition processes that occur in a brake pad hea ted to 1000 degreesC have been studied. This temperature can be reached whe n a brake pad is applied. Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysi s were used in combination with evolved gas analysis, and image analysis us ing a scanning electron microscope. A brake pad is essentially a mixture of iron, carbon and binder. Combined t echniques have been used, because of chemical reaction overlap, to determin e how and at what temperature the binder decomposes, the coal and graphite combust and the iron oxidises. This work enables the development of brake pads that are stable at high tem perature.