Reibmaterial

Reibmaterial, or friction material, is a composite designed to generate controlled friction in sliding interfaces such as brake systems and clutches. When pressed against a counterface, it converts part of the kinetic energy of moving parts into heat and gradually wears away at the material and the mating surface. The material must provide stable friction over a wide temperature range, resist fade, minimize noise, and manage debris and dust.

Most friction materials are engineered as bonded or sintered composites containing a binder, reinforcement fibers, fillers, and friction modifiers, with abrasives used in some grades. Historically, asbestos was used in some formulations, but modern materials are largely asbestos-free due to health and regulatory concerns. Major families include non-asbestos organic (NAO) materials, metallic (sintered) materials, and ceramic or carbon-ceramic composites. Brake pads and shoes often combine organic or ceramic matrices with reinforcements, while clutch discs rely on resin-bonded organics or metal-reinforced compounds.

Applications span automotive and motorcycle brakes, manual and automatic transmissions, industrial braking systems, and some railway applications. Performance is governed by the coefficient of friction, thermal stability, wear resistance, fade characteristics, and noise generation. Material choice balances braking power, durability, environmental impact, and manufacturing cost. Regulatory trends have reduced asbestos usage and, in some regions, restricted copper content in friction materials to lower environmental impact.

Testing and standards: friction materials are evaluated in tribological tests and on dynamometers to measure friction stability, wear rate, fade, and NVH behavior. Standards from automotive and industrial organizations guide formulation, quality control, and safety, while end-of-life handling and recycling considerations influence design and procurement decisions.