Analysis of factors influencing dry sliding wear behaviour of Al/SiCp-brake pad tribosystem

This technical paper covers statistical analysis of the major tribological factors affecting the dry sliding wear behaviour of Al-SiCp-brake pad system. The composite material for investigation was developed by conventional liquid casting route from Al 6082 alloy by incorporating 15% SiCp by weight. The Design of Experiments was done based on response surface method. The factors selected for investigation were temperature, load and sliding velocity keeping sliding distance constant. Experiments were conducted on high-temperature pin-on-disc wear testing equipment. Commercially available brake pads were used as the pin material. Response selected for analysis was wear rate of the AMC disc. Hardness survey, Optical microscopy and SEM were used to characterise the materials before and after the wear tests. Worn surfaces and debris were characterised using SEM to understand the wear mechanisms. ANOVA results show that temperature is the most dominant factor affecting the wear rate. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.