Studies on aluminium metal matrix Composite for automotive brake Drum applications

Abstract

In recent years the automobile industry has been facing substantial newlinetechnical challenges as it seeks to improve fuel economy reduce vehicle newlineemissions increase styling options and enhance performance The application newlineof Metal Matrix Composites MMCs as new brake drum materials to brake newlinecomponents has been receiving worldwide attention because of their light newlineweight superior mechanical properties high thermal conductivity specific newlineheat and better wear resistance than cast iron Since the brake drum represents newlinepart of the unsprung rotating masses the reduction in their mass will help in newlineincreasing the vehicle dynamics and ride comfort newlineMMCs have emerged as a class of advanced materials capable of newlineadvanced structural aerospace and automotive applications MMCs have newlinematured for the last two decades and are under research for structural newlinecomponent applications such as pistons of internal combustion engines newlineconnecting rods and brake calipers subjected to cyclic loads newline newline