Influence of Material Selection on Stresses in Ventilated Brake Discs

Cracking, especially in brake discs subjected to heavy stresses, is an ever recurring problem. The stresses developed during braking depend on a variety of factors. The main influence factors are the design of the disc as well as the type and intensity of heat induction through the pad.

This study is to demonstrate how stresses generated by the heat distribution at the friction surface of ventilated discs can be influenced by the selection of the disc material.

Furthermore, temperature and stress distribution in ventilated passenger car brake discs are analysed by the finite-element method. To estimate the real state of stress in the discs, the residual stresses present in the discs before and after the high thermal load generated by the braking action is analysed using the hole-drilling method. These loads are generated on a dynamometer equipped with an infrared camera. The actual heat induction behaviour is then studied using infrared pictures.

Contents

1. 1
   Introduction
2. 2
   Origination and effect of thermal stresses
3. 3
   Comparative thermal stress calculation
4. 4
   Analysis of the actual heat induction process on a thermomechanical dynamometer
5. 5
   Origination of residual stresses
6. 6
   Comparative residual stress measurements
7. 7
   Summary and conclusion
8. 8
   References