The interfacial surface temperature of a disc brake

The equations for the surface temperature rise at the interface between a friction material and a brake disc have been rederived to show how they are interrelated. By making assumptions about how the heat generated during braking enters the brake disc, the surface temperature rises for the bulk surface and for the actual contact area have been calculated. These are compared with the observed bulk surface temperature rise and the temperature rise at the actual contact area estimated from the structure of the wear debris produced during braking, using an asbestos-based friction material rubbing on a cast-iron brake disc.