Development and tribological studies of a novel metal-ceramic hybrid brake disc

Ceramic matrix composite (CMC) friction materials show promising tribological properties. Typically, carbon ceramic brake discs consist of a C/SiC rotor which is joined to a brake disc bell. Within this work, a novel metal-ceramic hybrid brake disc, consisting of C/SiC friction segments which are mounted by screws onto an aluminum carrier body, was designed and investigated. A prototype was built which was tribologically tested with three different brake pad materials, LowMet reference, modified SF C/SiC as well as C/C. A constant starting sliding velocity of 20 m/s and braking pressures of 1, 2, and 3 MPa were investigated. To simulate emergency braking conditions 10 consecutive brake applications were carried out in close succession for each brake pad material and braking pressure. The C/C brake pad material showed the highest average coefficient of friction followed by the LowMet and C/SiC material. However, the wear rates of the C/C and LowMet material were orders of magnitude higher compared to the C/SiC material.