From the brake system point of view the world can be split into comfort and performance markets. This market split evolved historically and reflects local legal requirements, driving style and the customer expectations. Noise, cold judder and brake dust play the dominant role in the perception of the customer on the comfort market. The performance markets call for high friction level and good fade performance.
Currently these customer needs can only be satisfied by usage of different pad materials: NAO and Semi Met materials for comfort markets and generally Low Met materials for performance markets.
Due to the differences mentioned above, additional brake system development and testing is done (different testing locations for the same brake attribute).
Harmonizing testing, usage of the same test location and same test method could save not only the human resources but also decrease the number of prototypes used in the development phases.
Ford of Europe carried out a series of tests comparing European and North American test procedures. The focus of the testing concentrated on noise, wear/dust and judder behavior.
The analysis of the results discussed in this article will show the potential for commonization of procedures related to brake wear (LACT vs. Mojacar) and judder (DTV generation).