Synthetic Graphite has emerged as a material of great significance in the production of brake shoes. It is widely incorporated into brake shoes mixtures and mixes, playing a crucial role in the composition of brake shoes friction materials. This article explores the application of Synthetic Graphite in brake shoes production, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages with the support of technical parameters.

Synthetic Graphite is well – known for its outstanding ability to optimize friction. When added to brake shoes friction materials, it can precisely adjust the coefficient of friction. In a series of braking tests, brake shoes with 18% synthetic graphite in their friction materials achieved a coefficient of friction of 0.38 – 0.42 under different braking pressures. This narrow range indicates excellent stability, ensuring consistent braking force regardless of the braking intensity. Such stable friction performance is essential for both normal driving and emergency braking situations, providing drivers with reliable control over their vehicles.

During braking, a large amount of heat is generated. Synthetic Graphite can withstand high temperatures up to 3000°C, which is extremely beneficial for brake shoes. Its high thermal conductivity also enables efficient heat dissipation. In a high – speed braking experiment, where the braking speed reached 150 km/h, the temperature of brake shoes with synthetic graphite – based friction materials was 30°C lower than that of those without synthetic graphite after 10 consecutive braking operations. This efficient heat management not only reduces the risk of brake fade but also extends the service life of the brake shoes.

The self – lubricating property of Synthetic Graphite is another significant advantage. It reduces the wear and tear between the brake shoes and the brake disc. In a long – term wear – resistance test, the wear rate of brake shoes with synthetic graphite – enhanced friction materials was 0.06 mm per 10,000 braking cycles, while that of ordinary brake shoes was 0.12 mm. This self – lubricating property not only improves the durability of the brake system but also makes the braking process smoother, enhancing the overall driving comfort.

In terms of cost, Synthetic Graphite offers a favorable cost – benefit ratio. When compared with some high – end and rare materials used in brake shoes production, it can reduce the material cost by about 12 – 18% without sacrificing too much performance. This cost – effectiveness makes it an attractive choice for brake shoe manufacturers, especially when mass – producing brake shoes for the mainstream market.

Synthetic Graphite is relatively fragile and has low compressive strength. In the process of manufacturing brake shoes, if the pressure during the molding of the brake shoes mixture is too high, the synthetic graphite – containing mixture is 25 – 35% more likely to crack compared to mixtures without synthetic graphite. In practical applications, under high – load braking conditions, brake shoes with a high proportion of synthetic graphite may experience structural damage more easily, which limits its use in heavy – duty vehicles or high – performance braking systems that require high – strength components.

Although synthetic graphite itself is generally considered non – toxic, during the braking process, small graphite particles may be released into the air. In a test simulating urban driving conditions, after 1000 braking cycles, the concentration of graphite particles in the air around the vehicle increased by 10 – 15 μg/m³. These fine particles may have potential negative impacts on the environment and human health, especially for those with respiratory problems. Therefore, proper measures need to be taken to mitigate this potential risk.

In conclusion, Synthetic Graphite has both remarkable advantages and certain limitations in the production of brake shoes. Understanding these aspects is crucial for brake shoe manufacturers to make informed decisions on material selection and optimize the performance of their products.