Advancements in Brake Friction Materials: A Review of Optimization Strategies in Automotive Applications

A newly designed brake friction formula should satisfy the desired performance defining characteristics (PDC’s) of braking at various combinations of speeds and loads in different environments. The satisfactory performance of a brake friction material greatly depends upon the selection of ingredients, content used, manufacturing process parameters and the test conditions. Any change in the ingredient type, its amount and manufacturing parameters may cause fluctuations in the PDC’s. Researchers have developed different brake friction materials to meet the objectives of eco-friendliness, asbestos-free, utilization of industrial and agro waste, Cu and heavy metals free and the use of multiple new materials for reaching out the braking effectiveness and performance and claiming better than others. Thus, optimization to obtain the best brake friction composite based on the PDC is needed. This paper analyzed the optimization strategies used in optimization of compression moulding process parameters and MADM techniques used in material selection and the optimal selection of ingredients for an effective braking performance. The accuracy of solution and the technique used for the application of brake friction materials are critically analyzed and new ideas to standardize the future research are discussed.