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This paper deals with friction under wet condition in the disk brake system of automobiles. In our previous study, the variation of friction coefficient μ was observed under wet condition. And it was experimentally found that μ becomes high when wear debris contains little moisture. Based on the result, in this paper, we propose a hypothesis that agglomerates composed of the wet wear debris induce the μ variation as the agglomerates are jammed in the gaps between the friction surfaces of a brake pad and a disk rotor. For supporting the hypothesis, firstly, we measure the friction property of the wet wear debris, and confirm that the capillary force under the pendular state is a factor contributing to the μ variation. After that, we simulate the wear debris behavior with or without the capillary force using the particle-based simulation. We prepare the simulation model for the friction surfaces which contribute to the friction force through the wear debris.

If a vehicle is left in a humid environment, the coefficient of friction between the brake pads and discs increases, generating a discomforting noise during braking called brake squeal. It is assumed that this increase in the coefficient of friction in a humid environment is the effect of moisture penetrating between the brake friction surfaces. Therefore, this paper analyzes the factors causing coefficient of friction variation with moisture between the friction surfaces by dynamic observation of these surfaces. The observation was achieved by changing the disc materials from cast iron to borosilicate glass. One side of the glass brake disc was pushed onto the brake pad and the sliding surface was observed from the opposite side by a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. First, a preliminary test was carried out in a dry state using two pad materials with different wear properties to select the appropriate pad for observing the friction surfaces.

It is necessary to consider both pad stiffness in static and dynamic situations to develop brake pads that create effective braking and squeal less. Brake pads that have a high degree of static stiffness generally respond well when braking. A past study clarified that stiffness when vibration is added to a pad differs from static stiffness. This pad stiffness in dynamic situations depends on braking pressure and it is one of the causes of squeal generation. This research clarified that pad stiffness depends on the amplitude of excitation and its frequency, which was measured by using an experimental apparatus. This apparatus gave sufficient displacement to a pad for measuring static stiffness and gave vibration with sufficient frequency and amplitude to assess the stiffness of the pad when squeal was generated. First, the static stiffness of the pad was measured by adding static pressure.

The prevention of brake squeal in disc brakes is an important concern in designing a brake system because, in terms of quietness, brake squeal reduces a car's commercial value. Over the past years, many studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism underlying the occurrence of brake squeal. However, since disc brake squeal is a complex issue caused by the compound influence of friction phenomena and vibrations in the brake system, the problem of brake squeal still has not been completely resolved, even today. In order to propose an effective measure for the prevention of brake squeal, it is necessary to understand the nature of the brake squeal phenomenon. We have investigated the influence of the dynamic stiffness of a brake pad (hereinafter referred to as pad stiffness). The pad stiffness was evaluated the results by a pad excitation at frequencies and vibration amplitudes that would cause brake squeal.

The prevention of brake squeal is a significant task in brake development, because brake squeal is bothersome to users and consequently reduces a vehicle's commercial value. Due to the progress made by researchers in their efforts to gain insight into the mechanisms and causes of brake squeal, the number of brake squeal complaints has declined. However, brake squeal can appear long after the vehicle is produced, without any early sign. In order to maintain long-term high satisfaction among the vehicle owners, it is important to find the factors that create a gradual increase in the occurrence of brake squeal. In this study, we focus on the stiffness factor of brake pads. Also, brake-pad wear due to braking is virtually impossible to completely eliminate. Here, we examine the correlation between pad stiffness and squeal occurrence. This study presents experimental and analytical results of the influence of pad surface texture on disc brake squeal.