Effect of Moisture Adsorption on Low-Speed and Moderate-Speed Braking: Effect on In-Stop Friction Coefficient and Low Frequency Noise

Copper-free NAO disc pads of passenger cars were investigated for a combination of prior braking conditions and moisture adsorption influencing in-stop friction and noise during low-speed stops, and in-stop-friction during moderate-speed stops. Prior braking conditions and moisture adsorption strongly influence subsequent in-stop friction behavior and noise at room temperature. The low-speed in-stop friction behavior looks totally different from that of moderate-speed stops. The low-speed in-stop friction increasingly oscillates with increasing moisture adsorption and goes down towards the end of a stop, which is accompanied by increasing low-frequency noise.

The moisture content needs to be quantified/specified to obtain repeatable/reproducible brake test results as the moisture is an unintended and uncontrolled ingredient of a friction material. As the disc surface roughness increases due to prior braking conditions, the friction coefficient of low-speed stops is found to decrease. The changing friction coefficient is explained by the nature of the friction film and its interactions with moisture.