Brake Pads Garnet Powder

The Application of Garnet Powder in Brake Pads Production

In the complex field of brake pads manufacturing, the materials chosen are crucial for guaranteeing stable braking performance and vehicle safety. Garnet Powder, with its special physical and chemical features, has become an important part in brake pads production, bringing both advantages and disadvantages.

1. Garnet Powder in Brake Pads

Garnet, a group of silicate minerals with the general chemical formula A₃B₂(SiO₄)₃, where A could be calcium, magnesium, iron(II), or manganese, and B might be aluminum, iron(III), chromium, or vanadium. Once processed into powder, Garnet Powder shows properties that matter a lot in brake pads production. Its density usually ranges from 3.5 – 4.3 g/cm³, which affects the weight and balance of the brake pads. With a Mohs hardness between 6.5 – 7.5, it’s hard enough to influence the friction of brake pads.

2. Incorporation into brake pads mixture

When making the brake pads mixture, Garnet Powder is mixed with different components. Phenolic resins, for example, are used as binders to hold the mixture together. They offer the necessary cohesion to keep Garnet Powder and other ingredients in one structure. Fillers like kaolin or graphite are added to adjust the mechanical and thermal properties. In a typical brake pads mix, Garnet Powder usually makes up 5 – 15% by weight. This proportion is carefully decided to get the best performance from the brake pads. For example, increasing the amount of Garnet Powder can raise the friction coefficient, but if not balanced well with other elements, it might affect the wear resistance and cause more noise during braking.
As a key part of brake pads friction materials, Garnet Powder is very important in determining the friction and wear. A well – designed friction material with the right amount of Garnet Powder can keep a friction coefficient between 0.4 – 0.6 under normal braking. This coefficient is essential for a stable and strong braking force. Whether it’s a small car or a big commercial vehicle, the consistent friction from brake pads with Garnet Powder helps ensure reliable braking.

Advantages of Using Garnet Powder in Brake Pads

  1. High Friction Performance: Garnet Powder helps create a high – friction coefficient, which is great for quick and effective braking. In laboratory tests, brake pads with Garnet Powder had a friction coefficient 0.1 higher on average than those without it under the same braking conditions. This extra friction can shorten braking distances, especially in emergencies. For instance, in a 60 – mph emergency braking test, vehicles with Garnet – Powder – containing brake pads stopped 5 – 8 meters shorter than those with regular brake pads.
  1. Good Abrasion Resistance: Because of its high hardness, Garnet Powder can improve the abrasion resistance of brake pads. Research shows that brake pads with Garnet Powder can reduce the wear rate by up to 25% compared to those without it. This not only makes the brake pads last longer but also cuts down on replacement frequency, saving vehicle owners money. A long – term field study on 100 vehicles showed that the average replacement interval of brake pads with Garnet Powder was extended by about 15,000 – 20,000 miles.
  1. Thermal Stability: Garnet has good thermal stability, able to endure high temperatures during braking without breaking down. It can keep its structure intact up to around 800 – 1000°C. This stability helps maintain the performance of the brake pads friction materials, even during high – speed and heavy – duty braking. In a high – speed braking test, where the brake temperature reached 900°C, brake pads with Garnet Powder maintained a stable friction coefficient within 10% of the initial value, while those without Garnet Powder saw a 30% decrease.

Disadvantages of Using Garnet Powder in Brake Pads

  1. Potential for Noise Generation: Sometimes, using Garnet Powder in brake pads can lead to more noise during braking. The hard particles of Garnet Powder can cause vibrations and interact with the brake disc, increasing the chance of squealing or grinding noises. In some applications, up to 30% of brake pads with Garnet Powder had noise problems, compared to only 10% of those without it. A recent market survey of 500 vehicle owners found that about 20% of those using Garnet – Powder – containing brake pads complained about increased braking noise.
  1. Environmental Impact: Although Garnet is a natural mineral, its extraction and processing can harm the environment. Mining garnet can disrupt habitats and cause soil erosion. Also, the fine Garnet Powder particles released during braking can pollute the air if not managed well. A study on a busy urban road showed that brake – related particulate emissions from vehicles with Garnet – Powder – containing brake pads contributed about 15% to the total non – exhaust particulate matter in the air.
  1. Compatibility Issues: Garnet Powder might not work well with some other parts in the brake pads mixture. For example, it could react with certain binders or fillers under high – temperature or high – humidity conditions, reducing the overall performance of the brake pads. In a laboratory experiment simulating high – temperature and high – humidity environments, brake pads with incompatible components showed a 20 – 30% decrease in friction coefficient after 100 cycles of braking. This means careful formulation and testing are needed to make sure everything works well together.