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Rising fuel costs, shorter stopping distance requirements, and the growth in hybrid vehicles all lead to an increased demand in lightweight vehicle components. Changing market needs generate innovative products. One innovative product is a lightweight aluminum metal matrix composite (MMC) brake drum that is substantially lighter than the traditional cast iron product. The objective of this paper is to present the lightweight brake drum using both analytical and dynamometer data to demonstrate the effectiveness during speed sensitivity testing. Thermal analysis tools were developed to predict brake temperatures. These predictions utilize system parameters and braking event characteristics to create realistic predictions of temperature, which have been validated with dynamometer testing. This paper will also present dynamometer data that shows the effectiveness of braking events at varying brake speeds and system pressures.

The commercial vehicle industry has seen regulations create new requirements over the last few years. Reductions to stopping distance, improvements to vehicle emissions, and the overall need for lighter weight vehicles has caused the commercial vehicle industry to look for new solutions to meet these needs. One such solution is light-weight aluminum metal matrix composite (MMC) brake drums. Aluminum MMC brake drums create the opportunity to reduce weight, lower brake temperatures, improve brake life cycle, and improve brake performance. During the evaluation of these aluminum MMC components it has been seen that existing procedures do not create accurate comparisons for this new material. Current procedures were designed and implemented for cast iron braking solutions. This paper will outline two procedures; FMVSS121 dynamometer burnishing and SAE J2115 wear performance testing, that do not allow direct comparisons from brake system to brake system to be made.