Effect of Type of Carbon Matrix on Tribological Properties of C C Aircraft Brake Discs

Jingade Gururaja Rao; Ponnusamy Selvam; K. H. Sinnur

doi:10.14429/dsj.69.13688

Jingade Gururaja Rao DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad - 500 058
Ponnusamy Selvam DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad - 500 058
K. H. Sinnur DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad - 500 058

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.69.13688

Keywords: Carbon-carbon composites, Aircraft brakes, Carbon matrix, Friction, Wear, Phenomenon

Abstract

Four type of Carbon/Carbon (C/C) composite brake discs (A, B, C, D) were manufactured using different process routes, using spun yarn graphitised carbon fabric as reinforcement. These discs were densified with different types of carbon matrices derived from different precursor materials. C/C brake disc of type A is having carbon matrix derived from pitch precursor, type B has a mixture of resin and pitch derived carbon matrices, type C has a combination of resin derived, pyro and pitch derived carbons and type D has pyro and pitch derived carbon matrices. Friction and wear performance of these brake discs were studied by simulating aircraft landing braking energies (normal and over load) corresponding to one interface using disc-on-disc dynamometer. It was found that the type of carbon matrix influences the nature of friction film formed, which in turn affects the wear rate of C/C brake discs. It was also discussed how the matrix characteristics affected the mechanical properties and the friction film formed affect the coefficient of friction of each type of disc.

Author Biographies

Jingade Gururaja Rao, DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad - 500 058

Dr J. Gururaja Rao has obtained his MSc (Tech) in Polymer Science and Technology from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, in 1998. He obtained his PhD from University of Mysore, in 2006. Currently he is working as Scientist ‘E’ at DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad on the development, qualification testing, flight testing and productionisation of carbon/carbon (C/C) composite brakes for aircraft applications.

His contributions in the present study are conceptualisation and designing experiments and realisation of brake discs. He has also carried out testing and characterisation and analysed the results.

Ponnusamy Selvam, DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad - 500 058

Dr P. Selvam obtained his MSc (Applied Chemistry) and PhD (Polymer Chemistry) from Anna University, Chennai, in 2001 and 2006, respectively. Presently, he is working as Scientist ‘E’ in the DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad. He has been working in the area of high temperature composites for the development of densification technologies and establishment of facilities for carbon carbon (C-C), carbon silicon carbide (C-SiC) products for missile and aircraft applications.

In the present study, he has densified four different types of C/C brake discs through chemical vapour infiltration (CVI) and liquid pitch impregnation (LPI) process to derive primary and secondary carbon matrices.

K. H. Sinnur, DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad - 500 058

Mr K.H. Sinnur obtained his BTech (Textile Technology) from Government S.K.S.J Technological Institute, Bangalore in 1984. He did MBA (Operations Management) from School of Management Studies, IGNOU, New Delhi, in 2010. Presently working as Scientist ‘G’ and Technology Director, High Temperature Composite Centre (HTCC) in DRDO-Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad. He has been working on the fibre architecture and development of carbon/carbon technology and products for aerospace applications.

In the present work he has monitored the work and provided valuable suggestions. He has also contributed in the analysis of test results.