In order to understand the effect of groove pattern of paper friction plate on its life, a three-step study was done.
In the first step, the effect of friction surface temperature on the life of paper friction plate is evaluated. For this test, pressure and rotational speed was held constant, while durability tests were carried out in which the friction surface temperatures were independently changed by forced heating or cooling. Results showed that a critical value of the surface temperature exists above which the thickness change of friction paper increases rapidly, and a surface temperature rise causes surface damage and a decay of the dynamic friction coefficient.
In the second step, friction surface temperatures for three groove patterns were directly measured and differences in cooling effectiveness according to the groove pattern was observed. In the third step, the life of friction plates grooved in the same three patterns used in step two was investigated.
This study concludes that a reduction of friction surface temperature for long life paper friction plate is improved by the design of an appropriate groove pattern.