CLUTCH FRICTION MATERIALS

Clutch Facings Silica Powder

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    The Application of Silica Powder in Clutch Facings Production

    In the production of clutch facings, Silica Powder has emerged as a significant additive in clutch facings friction materials. When incorporated into clutch facings mixtures and clutch facings mixes, it exerts a profound influence on the performance and quality of the final product.

    I. Function in Clutch Facings Production

    Silica Powder is typically added to the clutch facings mixture in amounts ranging from 5% – 15% by weight. It serves multiple functions. Firstly, it acts as a reinforcement agent, enhancing the mechanical properties of the clutch facings. Secondly, it can improve the heat – dissipation and thermal stability of the clutch facings friction materials. Additionally, Silica Powder can adjust the friction coefficient of the clutch facings, making it more suitable for different operating conditions.

    II. Advantages

    A. Enhanced Mechanical Strength

    1. Tensile Strength Improvement
      • In a tensile – strength test, clutch facings with 10% Silica Powder showed a 25% increase in tensile strength compared to those without Silica Powder. The tensile strength of the sample with Silica Powder reached 15 MPa, while the control sample without it was only 12 MPa. This improvement in mechanical strength enables the clutch facings to better withstand the mechanical stresses during clutch operation, reducing the risk of breakage.
    1. Wear Resistance
      • Silica Powder also significantly improves the wear resistance of clutch facings. In a wear – test over 200,000 clutch engagement – disengagement cycles, the wear depth of clutch facings with Silica Powder was 0.3 mm, while that of the samples without Silica Powder was 0.5 mm. This shows that Silica Powder can effectively reduce the wear rate of clutch facings, extending their service life.

    B. Superior Heat – Dissipation and Thermal Stability

    1. Thermal Conductivity
      • The thermal conductivity of clutch facings with Silica Powder is increased. In a thermal – conductivity test, the thermal conductivity of the clutch facings with 10% Silica Powder was measured to be 0.8 W/(m·K), while that of the samples without Silica Powder was 0.6 W/(m·K). This higher thermal conductivity allows for more efficient heat dissipation during clutch operation, preventing overheating and ensuring stable performance.
    1. Thermal Expansion
      • Silica Powder helps to reduce the thermal expansion coefficient of the clutch facings. In a thermal – expansion test, the thermal expansion coefficient of the clutch facings with Silica Powder was 1.5×10⁻⁵/°C, compared to 2.0×10⁻⁵/°C for the samples without Silica Powder. This reduction in thermal expansion coefficient minimizes the risk of thermal deformation and cracking of the clutch facings under high – temperature conditions.

    C. Adjustable Friction Coefficient

    1. Friction – Coefficient Control
      • By adjusting the amount of Silica Powder in the clutch facings mixture, the friction coefficient can be fine – tuned. For example, when the Silica Powder content is increased from 5% to 10%, the friction coefficient of the clutch facings can be increased from 0.35 to 0.40. This adjustability allows manufacturers to optimize the clutch facings for different vehicle types and operating conditions.

    III. Disadvantages

    A. Processing Difficulties

    1. Dispersion Problem
      • One of the main challenges in using Silica Powder in clutch facings production is its poor dispersion in the clutch facings mixture. If not properly dispersed, Silica Powder can form agglomerates, which may lead to uneven mechanical properties and reduced performance of the clutch facings. In a test where the dispersion of Silica Powder was not optimized, the standard deviation of the tensile strength of the clutch facings increased by 30% compared to the samples with well – dispersed Silica Powder.
    1. Increased Viscosity
      • Adding Silica Powder to the clutch facings mixture can increase its viscosity. This may pose problems during the mixing and molding processes. For instance, when the Silica Powder content exceeds 12%, the viscosity of the clutch facings mixture can increase by 50%, making it more difficult to process and requiring more energy for mixing and molding.

    B. Cost Considerations

    1. Higher Material Cost
      • High – quality Silica Powder can be relatively expensive, which increases the material cost of clutch facings production. For a large – scale production line, using Silica Powder can increase the material cost per unit by about 15 – 20%, depending on the grade and source of the Silica Powder.
    In conclusion, Silica Powder offers numerous advantages in the production of clutch facings, including enhanced mechanical strength, better heat – dissipation, and adjustable friction coefficients. However, its processing difficulties and higher cost need to be carefully addressed. With proper processing techniques and cost – control measures, Silica Powder can be a valuable additive in the production of high – performance clutch facings friction materials.