Resin Matrix Brake Materials Reinforced by Nano-Al2O3 for Mining Equipment

To verify the effect of Al2O3 particle content and size as an abrasive on resin matrix friction materials for mining equipment, the tribological performance of friction materials was studied by using a blockon- ring tribotester over a wide range of applied load and sliding speed. The testing conditions simulated brake conditions of mining equipment. The antiwear property of nano-Al2O3 was superior to that of micro- Al2O3 for friction materials. The friction coefficients of specimens increased with the increase of nano-Al2O3 content. The wear rates decreased with increasing nano-Al2O3 content. The wear rates of specimens containing nano-Al2O3 was about 2–8 times lower than that of specimen with micro-Al2O3. The specimen with 10.5 vol% nano-Al2O3 showed the best tribological properties. The wear mechanism of specimens with nano-Al2O3 was abrasive wear and plastic deformation.