Cost effective glassy carbon brake pad solution for automotive systems

In this work, thermal degradation of commercial polymer mixtures was evaluated as a promising approach to the production of ceramic brake components. Currently, there is a wide interest for the production of cost effective ceramic pads, and carbon based materials are good candidates both in monolithic form and as porous networks to be reinfiltrated with a convenient polymer. The process parameters for obtaining porous glassy carbon, starting from mixtures of commercial polymers, have been evaluated in this work with the goal of producing samples with optimised mechanical properties. A preliminary study of the pyrolysis process has been carried out using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray in order to define the feasibility of the method and to point out the critical issues. Mechanical tests have been performed in order to understand the relation between the carbonisation process and the mechanical properties.