Intricacies of SAE #2 Computerized Clutch Friction Durability Testing

This paper discusses the implications of computerizing the SAE #2 clutch friction durability tests that General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company require for automatic transmission fluid certification. There are three reasons for this paper. 1) Friction durability testing is a significant part of a much larger battery of tests needed to qualify a fluid. 2)There have been recent modifications concerning computerization of both the Ford and GM tests. 3) Because there are only two OEM qualified testing facilities, the details of certain testing intricacies in the areas of data acquisition, reduction and reporting may not be as understood as well as in other areas of automotive-based standardized testing.

Formulators of automatic transmission fluid need to be aware of all details surrounding the collection and evaluation of the data that will result in the final test report. This paper focuses on the algorithms and nuances of data acquisition, data reduction, and report generation as based on the issued test specifications by Ford and GM. The intention of this paper is to give insight into the computerization and reporting aspects; it is not to interpret or restate the issued specifications. It is hoped that the various automatic transmission fluid (ATF) formulators will find this paper of significant interest, for they are the intended audience.