CLUTCH FRICTION MATERIALS

Clutch Facings Rock Wool

Send Us Your Inquiry

    Categories: , Tags: , ,

    The Application of Rock Wool in Clutch Facings Production

    In the manufacturing process of clutch facings, the selection of suitable friction materials is crucial for ensuring the reliable operation and performance of the clutch system. Rock Wool, a fibrous material with unique properties, has been increasingly utilized in the production of clutch facings friction materials, being incorporated into clutch facings mixtures and clutch facings mixes.

    I. The Function and Proportion of Rock Wool in Clutch Facings

    Rock Wool is added to the clutch facings mixture to endow the final product with specific characteristics. It generally makes up 10 – 20% by weight in the clutch facings mixture. As a reinforcement and functional – property – enhancing agent, it plays a vital role in improving the overall performance of clutch facings.

    II. Advantages

    A. High – Temperature Performance

    1. Thermal Stability
      • Rock Wool – enhanced clutch facings demonstrate remarkable thermal stability. They can endure temperatures as high as 750 – 850°C without significant degradation of their mechanical and frictional properties. In a laboratory – simulated high – temperature test, after being exposed to 700°C for 3 hours, the clutch facings with Rock Wool maintained a friction coefficient of 0.35 – 0.45, while those without Rock Wool showed a sharp decline in the friction coefficient, dropping to less than 0.2.
    1. Heat Dissipation
      • The low thermal conductivity of Rock Wool, which is approximately 0.03 – 0.04 W/(m·K), helps in efficient heat dissipation within the clutch facings. This reduces the risk of overheating during high – speed or high – load operations. For instance, in a real – world vehicle test, the use of Rock Wool in clutch facings reduced the peak temperature of the clutch by 15 – 20°C compared to traditional clutch facings.

    B. Mechanical Strength and Durability

    1. Tensile Strength
      • Incorporating Rock Wool into clutch facings mixes significantly improves their tensile strength. Tests show that the tensile strength of clutch facings with Rock Wool can reach 15 – 20 MPa, which is 30 – 50% higher than that of clutch facings without Rock Wool. This enhanced strength allows the clutch facings to better withstand the mechanical stresses during clutch engagement and disengagement.
    1. Wear Resistance
      • Rock Wool – based clutch facings exhibit better wear resistance. In a wear – test with 500,000 clutch engagement – disengagement cycles, the wear rate of Rock Wool – containing clutch facings was 0.05 – 0.08 mm per 100,000 cycles, while that of the non – Rock – Wool clutch facings was 0.1 – 0.15 mm per 100,000 cycles.

    III. Disadvantages

    A. Brittleness

    1. Fragility under Stress
      • Rock Wool is relatively brittle, which may lead to problems in the clutch facings. When subjected to high – frequency mechanical vibrations and impacts during clutch operation, the Rock Wool fibers in the clutch facings may break. In a fatigue – test with 100,000 vibration cycles at a frequency of 50 Hz, the proportion of broken Rock Wool fibers in the clutch facings reached 10 – 15%, which could gradually affect the integrity and performance of the clutch facings.
    1. Impact on Friction Consistency
      • The brittleness of Rock Wool may also cause fluctuations in the friction coefficient. As the Rock Wool fibers break, the surface texture of the clutch facings changes, resulting in a friction coefficient fluctuation range of ±0.08, which is higher than the desired range for smooth clutch operation.

    B. Cost and Environmental Considerations

    1. Higher Production Cost
      • The production and processing of Rock Wool – containing clutch facings mixtures are more complex and costly. The raw material cost of Rock Wool itself, along with the need for special processing techniques to disperse it evenly in the clutch facings mixture, increases the overall production cost by about 15 – 20% compared to traditional clutch facings production.
    1. Environmental Impact
      • The disposal of Rock – Wool – containing clutch facings at the end of their service life can pose environmental challenges. Rock Wool fibers, if not properly treated, may be released into the environment, potentially causing harm to soil and water quality.
    In conclusion, Rock Wool offers distinct advantages in enhancing the high – temperature performance and mechanical strength of clutch facings. However, its brittleness, cost implications, and environmental impact need to be carefully addressed in the production and application process. Manufacturers must weigh these factors comprehensively to determine the optimal use of Rock Wool in clutch facings production.