Effects of carbon fiber length on the tribological properties of paper-based friction materials

Four kinds of paper-based friction materials reinforced with carbon fibers of 100, 400, 600 and 800 mu m were prepared by paper-making processes. Experimental results showed that the friction materials became porous with fiber length increasing. The friction torque curves were flat except the sample with 100 mu m fibers. The wear rate of the sample with 100 mu m fibers was only 1.40 x 10(-5) mm(3)/J. Tiny debris and fine scratches formed in the worn surface were the reason for excellent wear resistance of friction pairs with 100 mu m fibers. The friction pairs with 400, 600 and 800 mu m fibers showed typically abrasive wear and fatigue wear. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.