Synergistic effect of red mud-iron sulfide particles on fade-recovery characteristics of non-asbestos organic brake friction composites

Lubrication and abrasiveness in the brake friction composites are imperative characteristics for the better tribological performance at elevated temperature conditions. The present study aims to develop brake friction composites by conventional manufacturing processes in the form of standard brake pads using iron sulfide as a solid lubricant with a synergistic effect of red mud as an abrasive. Three different brake friction composites were developed by varying key ingredients such as red mud and iron sulfide by keeping other parental ingredients as constant. The developed composites were subjected to experimentation for physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties in accordance with industrial standards. The tribological performance was analyzed experimentally using Chase friction test rig according to IS2742 part-4. From the experimental work, it can be concluded that the synergetic effect of red mud and iron sulfide particles in friction composites showed stable fade and recovery behaviors, while the iron sulfide-based friction composites showed lesser wear rate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the Chase tested friction composites showed the surface characteristics of the composites.