An Evaluation of the Effect of Silica Dust on Brakepad Wear

Abstract

The wear of brake pads exposed to silica dust was measured. A novel test stand was developed to analysebrake pads' wear exposed to silica dust. Brake pad wear was determined by measuring pad lining geometryand mass changes. Geometric wear was analysed by determining changes in the thickness of the brake padlining during friction tests. In order to determine changes in mass, the brake pads were weighed before andafter the test. Brake pad wear was evaluated under dust-free conditions and under exposure to silica dust. Thetests revealed significant differences in brake pad wear under dust-free conditions and under exposure to silicadust. Mass loss of brake pad lining at different silica concentrations in airborne dust was described.