Brake Lining

Brake linings, also commonly referred to as friction linings or friction pads, are replaceable functional composite layers within a brake assembly specifically designed to generate friction. They do not provide structural support themselves but are secured (via riveting or bonding) to the inner surface of the brake’s metal structural components, such as the brake shoe or brake band.

Key Performance Indicators and Material Composition:

High and Stable Coefficient of Friction: This forms the basis for generating braking force. An ideal lining should maintain a consistent coefficient of friction across varying temperatures, humidity levels, and pressures, preventing erratic fluctuations in braking power.
Exceptional Wear Resistance: This determines the lining’s service life and replacement cycle.
Exceptional Heat Resistance: Braking generates temperatures reaching hundreds or even thousands of degrees Celsius. Lining must resist decomposition and carbonization at these temperatures while rapidly recovering from thermal fade.
Compatibility with Counterparts: While delivering strong friction, lining must not cause excessive wear or damage to brake rotors/drums.
Mechanical Strength and Impact Resistance: Capable of withstanding immense shear forces and impacts during braking without fracturing.
Based on these requirements, modern industrial brake lining materials are typically asbestos-free and fall into several main categories:

Organic Materials (Organic/NAO): Compounds of fibers (e.g., glass fiber, aramid), fillers, and high-performance resins. Advantages include low noise and minimal wheel wear, though heat resistance and abrasion resistance are relatively weaker. Suitable for medium to low load conditions.
Semi-metallic Materials: Incorporate significant metal components like steel wool and copper powder into organic bases. Advantages include excellent heat transfer, high-temperature resistance, and strong braking force, making them ideal for heavy-duty and frequent braking applications. However, they may produce higher noise levels.
Sintered Materials: Produced by sintering metal powders (e.g., copper, iron) and ceramics under high temperature and pressure. They offer the highest heat resistance and wear resistance, with virtually no thermal fade. Suitable for the most demanding, high-energy braking applications like wind turbines and mining equipment.
Evaluating a brake’s quality largely hinges on the performance of its lining. It is not a generic component for casual replacement, but rather an engineered solution meticulously calculated and tested countless times to tailor performance for specific operating conditions. Selecting the optimal lining formulation directly tests a brake manufacturer’s core competency in materials science.