Testing Passenger Car Brake Pad Exploitation Time’s Impact on the Values of the Coefficient of Friction and Abrasive Wear Rate Using a Pin-on-Disc Method

The braking system is one of the most important components in any motor vehicle. Its proper function in emergency situations may save road users’ lives. Today, as vehicles have more and more power at their disposal, leading to increased acceleration and maximum speed, the issue of effective braking is particularly important. It must also be noted that brakes are used in harsh conditions (water and salt, especially during winter), and must provide appropriate durability (on average, circa 30,000 km). For these reasons, many institutions conduct research aimed, among other things, at minimizing fading. However, this study looked into a different matter, focusing on how the operating conditions mentioned above, including the lifespan of brakes, impact the tribological properties of the friction pair. To achieve this, samples from brake pads were obtained (both brand new and used). Next, using a pin-on-disc tribological test, it was shown that the pads have lower coefficients of friction and abrasive wear rates. The results indicated that both parameters change in a manner that is dependent on how long the brake system has been in use.