Since introduction of a new customer satisfaction survey in Europe containing special questions in regard to brake dust, this subject has become more important within the brake development process.

A global Ford internal survey was prepared to establish the level of customer concerns on brake dust in order to better understand the issue. In the survey two subjects were addressed:

• Dust generation on wheels

• Removal of dust from wheels

In addition to the general survey results, a methodology used for investigation of factors potentially influencing dust generation is presented. Several characteristics of brake discs (material and machining of friction surface) and pads (thermal treatment) have been specified. The testing using DOE method has been carried out on a specially prepared brake dynamometer.

Allrath, Peter*, Bruggen, Ivan, Grabiec, Tomasz, 1Grochowicz, Jaroslaw - Ford; Albrecht, Gerald, Hodges, Tim, Paul, Hans Günther, Rudd, Adrian, Schaus, Holger - Federal Mogul