Brake pads are the main part of any brake system. Their structure is rather complicated, because one composite can be made from more than ten different materials. Every material brings to the composite some specific properties, such as: a constant and high coefficient of friction in different temperature areas, mechanical and thermal stability and high resistance to wear. This means that any improvements to this complex composite is rather challenging.
In my diploma thesis I wanted to improve brake properties of a brake system with the addition of graphene. Graphene was chosen, because it is a material with incredible mechanical and thermal properties. In my case two solid lubricants, talc and graphite, were replaced with graphene. We discovered that the replacement of talc with graphene proved to be beneficial. The composite coefficient of friction has increased for about 25%. While its wear remained comparable with the sample that contained no graphene. On the other hand, replacing graphite with graphene did not bring any positive changes. Furthermore, the replacement destabilised coefficient of friction and increased the wear, while the coefficient of friction stayed comparable with the sample that contained no graphene.
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