The clutch of an F1 car is a key component in the achievement of a successful launch. At this point, the clutch will do more work than at any other time during the race. The clutch can be held slipping for up to 8 seconds, causing considerable heat generation in the friction plates.
This paper describes an investigation of the thermal mechanics of the clutch during the launch, and how the heat generated by the period of slipping could affect the frictional properties of the clutch plates.
Using a simple single-plate clutch, data from a clutch dynamometer has been accumulated over a range of launch scenarios, including re-starts and short and long slip periods.
By analyzing and comparing the data, a wider range of clutch scenarios can be evaluated, including the effects of varying the design parameters of the clutch, along with a more detailed investigation into the effects of banding upon the friction plates.