Friction materials are useful in parts that require contact interaction, such as brakes, clutch systems, transmissions, etc. They apply to various industries, like heavy machinery, automotive, aerospace, railroad, and manufacturing equipment. So, the need for friction materials is immense worldwide. Any application that involves pressure between two parts requires friction materials, which are usually a blend of woven fibers, for instance, ceramics or metal bonded together. Since there are different applications of friction materials, the materials also come in different types. It would be best to have a reputable supplier such as Kor-Pak that understands various applications and the best friction materials for a specific application. That is especially if you are not sure about the right friction material for your particular needs.

Remember that the friction material is the number one cause of brake noises so, you should choose quality material that minimizes the noise during your brake work. The material you choose should depend on different factors such as the wear on the material, the application itself, durability needs, and heat requirements. With that in mind, let us look at the different kinds of industrial friction materials.

Ceramic friction material

Ceramic friction materials come from a combination of copper, tin bronze, iron, silicon dioxide, or graphite. It is one of the most common friction materials used in friction discs and industrial parts. Many people prefer it because it is highly durable and can take on substantial wear and tear. It can operate up to 1000fareinheit; therefore, it can withstand very severe temperatures and pressure settings. Although ceramic friction materials are expensive than other friction materials, they give you value for your money in the long run.

Metallic friction material

Metallic friction materials such as steel and aluminum are well suited to heavy-duty applications such as industrial machinery clutch systems and aircraft braking systems. They also last long and work well when they get hot. However, they are the loudest. If you want to balance the difference between wear and noise, semi-metallic friction pads are suitable if you cant afford ceramic friction materials.

Friction plates

Friction plates are usually lined with friction materials such as steel. These allow your system to slow down on a dime or stop whenever necessary. Most companies prefer friction plates for their machinery parts as they improve the performance of the parts. Friction plates can be found in the form of friction discs, which you can use for torque limiters or drives.

Wet friction materials

Wet friction materials are useful when you want to engage a wet clutch or other similar interfaces. It engages two different parts to create friction in a wet system process. If you are unsure if to use a wet friction material, it is best to seek your supplier’s advice.

Friction pads

You can put friction pads in place to induce friction for different parts or machinery. When you strategically place the friction pad, you can control the components’ speed and performance using it. Friction pads are found in different sizes and shapes as they usually function as shoes in the brake system. To get good performance out of them, you have to choose friction pads that are well-crafted.

Final words

Each friction material affects attributes such as noise, temperature, wear rate, corrosion resistance, abrasiveness, compressions resistance, fade, and environmental factors differently. But when purchasing auto parts, you mostly get what you pay for so, choose quality.