Elastomer modified phenolic resin‐based composites with reduced scale friction: Influence of calcined petroleum coke on tribological and thermo‐mechanical behavior

The present investigation deals with the effect of the concentration of calcined petroleum coke (CPC) on the dry sliding wear characteristics of elastomer modified phenolic resin‐based friction composites. Other ingredients common in brake formulations like fiber, filler, and solid lubricant were excluded in the present formulations to understand the exclusive effect of the CPC concentration on the frictional, mechanical, and thermal properties of these composites. The composites were fabricated by hot mixing followed by compression molding, and subsequent post‐curing. The coefficient of friction (COF) and the specific wear rate of these composites sliding against a cast‐iron disc were measured and analyzed. The change in surface topography of these composites before and after sliding operation was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. An effort was made to correlate the surface morphology of these composites before and after sliding with friction and wear behavior. The investigation reveals that CPC inclusion improved the anti‐wear behavior as it formed a uniform transfer layer over the rubbing surfaces. In case of optimum CPC loaded (200 phr) composite, the average COF and thermal conductivity values were found to be 0.15 and 0.61 W/m‐K, respectively, as compared to 0.12 and 0.25 W/m‐K for the base composite (without any CPC).