Förbättrade prestanda hos bromsskivor - Etapp 2

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project was to study the influence of geometry on the performance of brake discs. In order to do this a material model has been implemented in a software. The model has been used to investigate how the mechanical loads that arise from heating and cooling of the disc are affected by changes of its geometry. Further, the project should increase the collaboration between academia and industry and also finance a doctorate degree. In this respect a new minor project between the parties has been initiated and a student will present his Ph. D. thesis in December 2015.

Expected long term effects

The results indicate that it is possible to change the geometry of the cooling channel and thus decrease the weight of the disc by 10-15% while maintaining the fatigue life with respect to thermally induced cracks. Alternatively, if the mass is kept constant but redistributed to the friction surface, which also improves the wear characteristics, the fatigue life will be doubled. It is also important to mention that the material model is general and can be applied to other cast iron components as well which are subjected to repeated heating and cooling, such as for example engine parts.

Approach and implementation

The project was carried out in close collaboration between Scania and the Department of Applied Mechanics at Chalmers. The group at Chalmers implemented, calibrated and verified the material model and performed all calculations. Scania contributed with material data and experimental results on specimens and also with full scale tests where the behaviour of brake discs were investigated using a brake dynamometer. Further, the results were jointly analysed in a series of meetings and the progress of the project was controlled by a steering committee.