Climate Based Performance of Carbon-Carbon Disc Brake for High Speed Aircraft Braking System

Carbon composite brake discs are lighter, economical, and have excellent high energy friction characteristics. These have twice thermal capability compared to steel, remain unaffected by thermal shocks and mechanical fatigue. These are highly useful in emergency breaking situations. Prior to this work, two dimensional (2D) reinforced carbon composite laminates were prepared through pitch impregnation process. In an effort to protect the exposed non frictional surface from high temperature service degradations, multilayered ceramic coating systems were developed on 2D composite. Oxidation studies have been carried out on these systems viz., C-SiC, C-SiC-MoSi2-Al2O3 and C-SiC-B4C. These were performed both in dynamic and static conditions up to 1200 degree C in 60 per cent humid climate. The hardness, surface topography, developed phases and integrity of layers on the samples at various stages of the experiment have been characterized and analyzed. It was observed that C-SiC-B4C system performs well in the oxidizing environment.