The original PlatinumShield was introduced at HDAW 2009 and Meritor has since shipped more than 15 million units, the company says.
“At the product’s introduction three years ago, we began developing a second-generation of platinum coating, fully mindful of the harsh liquid chemicals used in winter road solvents to melt snow and ice,” says Tim Bauer, senior director, Undercarriage Products, Meritor. “Our PlatinumShield II is a new formula designed for today’s demanding climate.”
Meritor says the second-generation coating is distinguished by its lighter platinum gray color. It will be used on new aftermarket brake shoes with new reduced stopping distance friction materials. PlatinumShield II also will be used on remanufactured brake shoes.
The PlatinumShield coating was developed by Meritor’s brake engineering team to resist micro-abrasion caused by the movement of the brake lining against the shoe table during normal use, the company says. Rustjacking occurs when rust forms on bare shoe metal under the lining, causing it to lift and crack.
The shoes and exclusive coating are produced at the company’s 275,000-sq.-ft. remanufacturing facility in Plainfield, Ind.
Meritor says used shoes are cleaned, shot-blasted and processed through a five-stage wash and pre-treatment process before the PlatinumShield coating is applied.
Bauer says, “The real benefit to our customers is lower overall maintenance costs. The elimination of premature brake jobs resulting from cracked linings will make fleets using these shoes more competitive.”
