Abstract
Friction is influenced by the surfaces and the chemical behavior of the boundary layer. Self- organization processes lead to a balance between friction and wear. These are characterized by the transportation of wear particles, and thus the growth and destruction of contact plateaus [1]. The IDS Pad Surface Measurement Unit, which is implemented on the AUT [2], is a fully automated, high-precision device that scans the pad surface between friction applications. With this device, quasi in situ measurements of the pads surface are attained. These measurements are seamlessly matched with digital camera images. The topography and color information are spatially aligned, enabling the creation of combined, superimposed renderings. Such information can be used for analyzing temporal variations of averaged characteristics, such as roughness and height. It is also possible to observe the evolution of the entire topography with high resolution. In this way, cavities and load carrying structures, such as dust or contact patches can be analyzed.
KEYWORDS friction, topography, tribometer, brake pad