Dry Sliding Wear Assessment of Organic–Inorganic Fibre Reinforced Friction Composites Using Design of Experiment Approach

The present research intends to look into the dry sliding wear performance of organic (Kevlar)-inorganic (Lapinus) fibre reinforced brake friction composite materials using design of experiment approach. For this purpose, the composite samples were fabricated by compression molding, and the wear assessment was carried out with the assistance of pin-on-disc machine. Further, wear performance of the friction composites was evaluated by constructing L₁₆ orthogonal array with four control variables such as: composition, normal load, sliding velocity and sliding distance having four levels each. The results indicate that normal load and sliding distance emerges as the most significant factors affecting wear performance followed by sliding velocity. The optimum configuration of control factor for minimum wear rate is A₄B₁C₁D₁ as found by Taguchi analysis.