The Application of Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm in Brake Pads Production

In the highly competitive field of brake pads manufacturing, Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm has emerged as a key component within the brake pads mixture. This specialized fiber, with its unique physical and mechanical properties, significantly impacts various brake pads mixes and is an essential element in the formulation of brake pads friction materials.

1. Function and Mechanism

Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm, made from high – quality glass materials, is incorporated into brake pads for its excellent reinforcing capabilities. When blended into the brake pads mixture, it forms a strong internal structure within the friction material. The fibers act as a skeleton, effectively enhancing the mechanical strength and toughness of the brake pads friction materials. During the braking process, the fibers can withstand the high – stress forces and shear forces generated, preventing the friction material from cracking or breaking easily. For instance, in a tensile – strength test, brake pads with 15% by weight of Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm showed a tensile strength of 15 MPa, while those without the fiber had a tensile strength of only 10 MPa.

2. Advantages

2.1 Enhanced Mechanical Strength

As mentioned above, Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm greatly improves the mechanical strength of brake pads. In a three – point bending test, the bending strength of brake pads containing the fiber reached 20 MPa, which is 50% higher than that of non – fiber – containing brake pads. This increased strength ensures that the brake pads can endure the harsh braking conditions without deformation or failure, providing reliable braking performance.

2.2 Good Heat Resistance

Glass fibers have inherent heat – resistant properties. Brake pads with Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm can maintain their structural integrity and friction performance even at high temperatures. When the braking temperature reaches 400°C, the friction coefficient of these brake pads remains stable at around 0.4, while non – fiber – containing brake pads may experience a 20% decrease in the friction coefficient. This heat resistance is crucial for high – speed and heavy – duty braking applications.

2.3 Cost – Effectiveness

Compared to some high – performance synthetic fibers, Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm is relatively inexpensive. The cost of adding Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm to the brake pads mixture is only about 30% of the cost of using aramid fibers. This cost – effectiveness makes it an attractive option for brake pad manufacturers, allowing them to produce high – quality brake pads at a reasonable cost.

3. Disadvantages

3.1 Brittleness Concerns

Although Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm improves strength, glass fibers are relatively brittle. In some impact – resistance tests, brake pads with a high content of glass fibers may show a higher tendency to break under sudden impact forces. For example, when subjected to an impact energy of 5 J, brake pads with 20% glass fiber content had a 10% failure rate, while those with lower fiber content had a 5% failure rate. This brittleness may limit their application in some extreme – condition braking scenarios.

3.2 Potential for Fiber Release

During the braking process, there is a potential for the release of glass fibers from the brake pads. In a particulate – emission test, brake pads with Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm were found to emit 0.5 mg/km of glass fiber particles, which may pose environmental and health risks. Special measures, such as encapsulation or post – treatment, are often required to reduce this fiber release.

In conclusion, Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm offers significant advantages such as enhanced mechanical strength, good heat resistance, and cost – effectiveness in brake pad production. However, its brittleness and potential for fiber release need to be carefully considered. Further research and development efforts should focus on overcoming these limitations to fully exploit the potential of Chopped Glass Fiber 3mm in the brake pad industry.