The Application of Corundum in Brake Pads Production
In the production of brake pads, various materials are used to ensure optimal performance, and corundum has emerged as a significant component in this field.
1. Corundum Powder in Brake Pads
Corundum powder is a key ingredient in the production of brake pads. It is a hard and abrasive material, which is highly valued for its physical properties. With a Mohs hardness of around 9, corundum is extremely durable and can withstand high – temperature and high – pressure conditions during braking.
2. Incorporation into brake pads mixture
When creating brake pads, corundum powder is mixed with other components to form the brake pads mixture. This mixture typically includes binders, fillers, and other friction – modifying materials. For example, in a common brake pads mix, corundum powder may account for 10 – 20% by weight. This proportion is carefully calibrated to balance the desired friction performance and wear resistance.
3. Role in brake pads friction materials
As part of the brake pads friction materials, corundum plays a crucial role in determining the friction coefficient. A well – formulated brake pads friction material with the right amount of corundum can maintain a stable friction coefficient between 0.3 – 0.5 under normal braking conditions. This stability is essential for consistent braking performance, whether it’s in low – speed city driving or high – speed highway braking.
Advantages of Using Corundum in Brake Pads
- High – Temperature Resistance: Corundum can withstand temperatures up to 1800°C. This high – temperature resistance is vital during heavy braking when the brake pads can heat up rapidly. It prevents the degradation of the brake pads friction materials, ensuring reliable braking performance even in extreme conditions.
- Excellent Wear Resistance: Due to its high hardness, corundum – containing brake pads have a longer service life compared to those without it. Tests have shown that brake pads with corundum can reduce wear rates by up to 30% compared to traditional formulations.
- Good Friction Stability: The stable friction coefficient provided by corundum helps in providing smooth and predictable braking. This reduces the risk of sudden changes in braking force, which can lead to skidding or loss of control.
Disadvantages of Using Corundum in Brake Pads
- High Cost: The production and processing of corundum powder can be relatively expensive. This can increase the overall cost of brake pads production, making them less competitive in price – sensitive markets.
- Abrasive to Rotors: While corundum’s hardness is an advantage for wear resistance of the brake pads, it can be abrasive to the brake rotors. Over time, this can lead to increased wear of the rotors, requiring more frequent rotor replacements. In some cases, the wear rate of rotors can increase by 15 – 20% when using corundum – based brake pads compared to some alternative materials.
- Difficult to Process: Corundum powder is hard to mix evenly in the brake pads mixture due to its abrasive nature. This can lead to inconsistent quality in the final brake pads products if not properly processed.