Title: Parameters affecting wedge disc brake performance

Authors: K.R.M. Mahmoud; M. Mourad

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Automotive Department, Minia University, Minia 61111, Egypt ' Faculty of Engineering, Automotive Department, Minia University, Minia 61111, Egypt

Abstract: A new wedge disc brake is introduced in the last few years to increase brake shoe factor. The present work is conducted to investigate the frictional properties of commercial brake pad materials. Several tests have been carried out to examine the effect of the presence of water film, oil film and wet dust between the disc and brake pads on the performance of classical and wedge disc brakes. The results showed that the presence of water film between brake pads and disc increases friction coefficient, thereby increasing the brake shoe factor. This effect is significant in the case of wedge disc brake. The presence of oil film between the friction surfaces remarkably reduces the coefficient of friction; hence, there is a reduction in the brake shoe factor. However, at high applied loads, the presence of wet dust between friction surfaces has a negligible effect.

Keywords: wedge disc brakes; friction coefficient; normal force; sliding speed; water film; oil film; wet dust; disc brake performance; vehicle braking; brake pad materials; brake shoe factor.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVP.2014.069109

International Journal of Vehicle Performance, 2014 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.254 - 263

Received: 28 Feb 2013
Accepted: 20 Jan 2014
Published online: 28 Apr 2015 *

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