The effects of antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) and zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) in the automotive brake friction material on friction characteristics

Friction characteristics of nine automotive brake friction materials containing different amounts of antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) and zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) were investigated by using a brake dynamometer. Two different modes of brake applications (drag mode and stop mode) were employed to study the change of friction coefficient and torque variation (friction force oscillation). Results showed that the relative amount of Sb2S3 and ZrSiO4 played important roles in determining the friction characteristics. Sb2S3 in the friction material improved the friction stability and ZrSiO4 aggravated the torque variation during brake applications.