Akebono Corporation (north America)

Xinming Shao

Sunil K Kesavan

The present invention is predicated upon friction material and more particularly to chopped basalt reinforcement fibers within a friction material.

Friction material

An improved method of producing a friction material for use in the production of brake pads. A first mixing step blends binder, fiber, and filler materials together in a mixer to create a pre-mix, with one of the materials doubling as a wetting agent promoting the homogeneity of the mixture. A second non-asbestos material is added to the pre-mix in the same mixer, and the two are mixed together to produce the final friction material.

Mixing method for friction material with a pre-mix in a single mixer

The present invention provides a brake pad or shoe and method to manufacture the same. The brake pad or shoe includes a first friction material such as a non-asbestos organic material and a second friction material such a semi-metallic material. The friction materials are configured as discrete buttons or other suitable shapes and connected to a structural backing of the brake pad or shoe in a spaced-apart configuration. The first friction material may be located at an outboard location of the structural backing and the second friction material may be located at an inboard location. Use of the two friction materials provides superior performance compared to use of a single friction material. Configuring the friction material as discrete buttons makes the friction material fabrication process independent of the structural backing configuration, which reduces complexity and cost.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Xinming Shao