Copper-Reduced Sintered Friction Material for High-Speed Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sintered friction materials with copper components face environmental concerns due to copper abrasion and lack evaluation in high-speed ranges, necessitating a copper-reduced, environmentally friendly alternative with sufficient friction performance.

Innovation Solution

A sintered friction material with a titanate and metal material matrix, where the metal material is primarily iron-based, and tungsten is included, with a copper content of 0.5 mass % or less, processed at 900°C to 1300°C, ensuring sufficient friction performance in high-speed ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If copper component is used in friction material, then friction performance is improved, but environmental contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction performanceVSAvoidcopper abrasion contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by limiting copper component to 0.5 mass% or less and introducing specific metal materials (iron-based: 8-32 vol%, tungsten: 1-15 vol%, aluminum: 2-20 vol%) to replace copper's friction functions while minimizing environmental harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining multiple metal materials (iron-based, tungsten, aluminum) with titanate and ceramic matrix, where each component contributes different properties: iron-based provides friction coefficient, tungsten provides wear resistance, and aluminum provides oxidation resistance, collectively replacing copper's multiple functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If sintering temperature is increased to improve material density, then manufacturing cost and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial densityVSAvoidsintering energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the sintering temperature parameter to a specific range (900-1300°C) that achieves sufficient material density and mechanical properties while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding excessive heating that would waste energy without providing proportional benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides an environmentally friendly sintered friction material with improved friction performance and reduced environmental impact, suitable for high-speed applications while minimizing copper content.

Implementation Method 1

a sintering step of sintering, at 900°C to 1300°C, a molded product molded in the molding step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3875561B1Sintered friction material and method for producing sintered friction material
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 AKEBONO BRAKE IND CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a sintered friction material that has a copper component content of 0.5 mass % or less, contains a metal material other than copper and a titanate as a matrix, and has a metal material content of 10.0-34.0 vol% for the metal material other than copper. This sintered friction material is environmentally friendly and has adequate friction performance even in a high-speed range.