Effects of carbon fiber content on the performance of new advanced ceramic brake materials

New advanced ceramic brake friction materials containing five different carbon fiber contents were prepared using molding process. The effects of carbon fiber content on mechanical property, friction performance and wear rate were studied. Worn surfaces of samples were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results show that, with fiber content increasing, both compressive strength and shear strength increase firstly and then decrease, while friction coefficient declines and its stability improves. Materials without thermal degradation at 350°C show good fading resistance. At lower temperature wear rate tends to increase firstly and then decrease as the fiber content increase. At higher temperature the higher carbon fiber content is helpful to slow the increasing of wear rate.