Experimental analysis of the heat transfer generated during the operation of an automotive disc brake

This experimental mathematical work aims to analyse the results obtained from the heat transfer of a typical automotive disc brake and thus compare the behaviour of heat dissipation of this mechanical element under different operating conditions. The results demonstrate that the disc brakes can be used effectively in severe operational conditions with a speed of 36 km/h and an ambient temperature of 25 degrees C, without affecting the safety of the occupants or the braking system. The use of semi-metallic pads increases the temperature over the wear track superficial temperature by around 20% more than the asbestos pad, but the material removal during sliding is around similar to 2.5 times more for the asbestos pad due to the coupling in the tribosystem (pad and disc brake). The heat dissipation in the disc brakes depends on the geometry of the disc, the material from which it is manufactured, the material of the pad, the weight of the vehicle, and the operating conditions, as it could be verified with the mathematical and experimental results, thus validating the contribution of the effectiveness of the braking process during its real operation.