Copper fibres are a key raw material in disc pad applications. In specific in NAO/non-steel passenger car disc pads copper fibres offer an unique combination of properties being reinforcement, thermal conductivity and wear resistance at higher temperatures. Due to environmental reasons copper and its compounds have to be removed from friction materials in the future. Because of the unique combination of properties copper fibres cannot be replaced by one single other material while maintaining the same properties. This research demonstrates that a combination of thermally conductive Roxul®1000 fibres and synthetic iron sulphide is able to generate a similar friction and wear performance compared to a copper fibre based formulation. This provides a base for well performing copper free formulations where the thermally conductive Roxul®1000 fibre generates thermal conductivity and reinforcement while the synthetic iron sulphide provides lubrication at especially elevated temperatures.

Van de Worp, Bart, Smeets, Luc; Rockwool B.V. Lapinus Fibres