The Effect of Iron Oxides $(Fe_2O_3,\;Fe_3O_4)$ on Tribological Characteristics of Automotive Friction Materials

자동차용 마찰재에서 철산화물이 마찰특성에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

The relationship between friction characteristics and iron oxides at the sliding interface was investigated. Three friction materials containing iron, magnetite $(Fe_3O_4)$ or hematite $(Fe_2O_3)$ were manufactured and friction tests were performed on gray cast iron disks to evaluate the friction coefficient as a function of sliding speed $\mu-\nu$. In-situ noise spectrum analyzer was employed to compare noise propensity during friction tests. Results show that the specimens with magnetite are more sensitive to velocity than those with iron or hematite. The specimens containing magnetite and hematite generated noise with different peaks in the spectrum. The difference in the peak frequency seems attributed to the different surface aggressiveness of iron oxides and intermittent changes of real contact area at the sliding interface during sliding. Surface morphology and roughness of the counter disc after the tests are also consistent with the aggressiveness of iron oxides.