Abstract
The present study describes an experimental investigation of temperature fluctuations associated with thermal instability. Surface temperatures of brake disk and pad were monitered at various locations in a caliper type brake system during drag braking conditions. It was found that the thermal instability appeared in pad more seriously than in disk. The temperatures at various circumferential positions fluctuate synchronously, whereas the center temperature fluctuates with 180$^{\circ}$ phase difference from the outer and inner radius temperatures. The temperature and amplitude of the temperature perturbations are increased due to the increase of contact area in the center location. It was also found that the thermal instability was dominantly determined by the increase of rotation speed and pressure. And the modification of ventilation path could retard the onset of thermal instability.
