TriboLab HD

Traditionally, dynamometer testing is the only method used to evaluate novel brake pad formulations under simulated driving conditions before actual on-road vehicle testing.

TriboLab HD provides the notable advantage of comprehensive materials testing under the various driving conditions required for regulatory compliance or certificationearlier in the development cycle. This allows researchers to fine-tune materials formulations to a greater extent before expensive dynamometer testing.

Dynamometer Testing:

• Adds considerable expense if brake material formulations cannot initially meet standards;
• Occurs at a later stage in the development cycle;
• Requires test runs to be completed over several days;
• Provides little insight into the mechanisms underlying test failures; and
• Limits the ability to fully study brake particle emissions.
  

TriboLab HD:

• Reduces material costs and shortens time-to-market;
• Tests critical components earlier in the development cycle;
• Simplifies test design, setup, and completion - can begin testing on day one;
• Enables easy monitoring and comparison of test runs; and
• Supports brake particle collection and analysis.

The health and safety implications of airborne particles created by brake wear are gaining international attention. As regional environmental standards develop, brake component approval regulations and consumer expectations will become increasingly strict. Developers will need to change the physical properties of new formulations or modify existing formulations to reduce particle emissions.

The TriboLab HD particle collection chamber seamlessly integrates with third-party particle analyzers to make it easy for manufacturers to study the entire wear process.

Critical functions for precise and repeatable in-lab wear studies include:

• The collection of particles from conventional and newly developed materials;
• Reliable, representative, and repeatable sampling and characterization of brake wear particles;
• The measurement of particle mass, number, and concentration in variable, highly dynamic conditions; and
• Particle size measurement over a large size range (<10 nm – 10 µm).

TriboLab HD addresses these functions with:

• Easy integration of commercial particle analyzers;
• Optimum control of parameters and simulation of different driving conditions and regulatory standards;
• Simulation of abrasion processes leading to direct emissions of particulates with high accuracy/authenticity; and
• Easily cleanable surfaces to reduce contamination and increase the reliability of environmental particle screening.