he porous nature of brake lining, also known as friction material, can easily absorb oil and grease that can lead to serious damage. The good news is that the brake lining is a wearable item, meaning it’s not supposed to last forever. That being said, routine inspections still are important so your customer can get the most out of his lining.
According to the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the brake’s function is to retard or stop wheel revolution by converting potential or kinetic energy to heat energy through friction.
Joseph Kay, engineering manager, Brake Systems, ArvinMeritor, Inc., said, “All frictions are not created equal. There are different features that can be built-in to resolve specific issues, although there is no perfect lining, material to manage every desirable feature, so there is a trade off.”
Linings are designed for specific environments in which they operate.
“Some applications will require optimized hill holding capability, such as fire trucks, therefore demanding high performing materials,” Kay explained.
“When an optimized friction material is used, the risk of field issues is low. Keep in mind the friction material is only part of the system; the drum or rotor is the other important piece,” he said.
Even when premium linings are used, wear does occur. Kay explained some common problems that the brake lining may experience.
