A study of the strength of carbon–carbon brake disks for automotive applications

Carbon–carbon composites are often used in high-temperature applications due to their high specific modulus, high specific strength, excellent heat resistance, high thermal shock resistance and chemical inertness. In this paper, the strength of carbon/carbon brake disks for automotive applications were tested and evaluated. The laminate material properties of carbon/carbon composites were evaluated via tension, compression and shear tests. The strengths of mechanically fastened composite joints for brake disks were tested and their failure criterion was established based on the maximum stress theory. Additionally, torsion tests of carbon/carbon brake disks were performed and the results were compared with those from a finite element analysis.