Abstract: An intermediate layer (4) of a relatively low thermal conductivity, high resistance to thermal degradation elastomeric material is interposed between a friction lining (3) and a relatively soft elastomeric layer (5), the latter being bonded to a backing plate (2).

Abstract: A friction material especially for use in conjunction with aluminum alloy brake rotors containing silicon carbide particles contains 15 to 80% of a finely divided alumina abrasive, from 5 to 40% of cured organic binder, less than 5% metal in particulate form and less than 5% particulate carbon and/or graphite, from 1 to 40% of organic fiber the balance being particulate inert filler and optionally, a non-graphitic lubricant, all percentages being by volume.

Abstract: A friction pad for a brake assembly including a backing plate having attached to it a pad of friction material containing at least 50% by weight of a ceramic material present in the form of relatively coarse particles of diameter 0.3 mm to 4 mm and a synthetic resin binder, together with a minor amount of a graphite lubricant and a minor amount of a ceramic material in the form of relatively fine particles in the size range 1 to 30 microns.

Abstract: A brake having a brake element, such as a brake pad for engagement with the flat surface of a disc or like moving element of a brake system, has a relatively soft layer (4) of elastomeric material interposed between a layer of friction material (3) of the pad lining (1), and the backing plate (2) to which the lining (1) is secured. The elastomeric material is required to have a Rockwell value greater than 0.30 millimetre penetration. The elastomeric material may have a Rockwell value of a depth of penetration at least twice that of the friction material. Hot-spotting and thermal damage to the moving element are thus reduced, and so is wear of the lining (1) itself.

Abstract: A brake pad friction lining having, as required by UIC regulations for use on railways in Europe, a coefficient of friction under wet conditions not less than 85% of that under dry conditions, comprising a fibre-reinforced matrix of organic polymeric material which includes non-fibrous particulate material serving as friction or wear modifier or filler. The organic polymeric material employed according to the invention comprises cured high-hysteresis elastomeric material, for example a high-styrene/butadiene rubber, in a proportion by volume of the lining which is high enough to ensure a loss angle of at least 13.degree. therein.

Abstract: A preform suitable to be cured to form a friction element, such as clutch facing, is produced by winding a filament, or a tape containing curable material on to a surface of a rotating plate. The filament, or tape, is guided on to the surface by a guide which is movable in a plane. A signal, representative of the angular position of the plate, causes generation of a demand signal indicating the desired position of the guide. A closed loop control, controls the movement of the guide to give a predetermined winding pattern. The control causes the guide to move as a function of the demand signal and a feedback signal representative of the position of the guide. The curable material in the preform is then cured.

Abstract: A disc brake pad and shim assembly consists of a disc brake pad having a back plate with spigot holes which are incompletely filled and a shim with protrusions extending into the unfilled regions of the spigot holes, to stop slippage of the shim across the back plate in service.

Abstract: A flooring edge finisher which is of multi-piece construction. There are at least three components which include a friction insert plus base unit, and two edge pieces. The edge pieces interlock with, and conceal the base part of, the friction insert plus base unit.

Abstract: Sintered copper friction facing suitable for operation in oil and quieter in operation than current facing of this type has a void volume not less than 30% of the total volume. It can be made by employing, as the copper to form the facing matrix, copper powder which is in dendritic form and of apparent density not greater than 1.3 gram/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing clutch driven plates wherein a castellated core plate is sandwiched between two clutch facing annuli in which the thermosetting binder is substantially uncured. The assembly is clamped together and heated to cure the binder and bond the annuli to the core plate.The friction material of the facing annuli is pushed under the clamping pressure into the spaces between the castellations of the core plate and in the preferred clutch driven plates made by this method the inner surfaces of the facing annuli come into contact but do not bond together substantially.

Abstract: A moulded annular clutch facing has a plurality of surface grooves moulded into the facing. Each groove extends not substantially more than half way across the annulus, is not greater than 40% of the thickness of the facing in depth and extends either from the bore or the outer perimeter of the annulus.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of glass yarn in which the yarn is impregnated with a low viscosity solution of a thermosetting binder in an organic solvent, the viscosity of said solution being not greater than 50 centipoise (=0.05 Pascal seconds) at 25.degree. C.; solvent is then evaporated from the impregnated yarn; the yarn is further impregnated with a high viscosity solution of a thermosetting binder in an organic solvent; and solvent is again evaporated from the impregnated yarn. The process improves the properties of the glass yarn when used in the manufacture of glass reinforced composites.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition for a friction material e.g. for a brake pad, of the type containing a fibrous reinforcement, a binder and various additives.The composition contains a thermoset binder including a phenol-formaldehyde resin and making up 20 to 60% by volume of the material. Besides the resin the binder can also include a heat and chemical resistant rubber, but the phenol-formaldehyde resin makes up at least 10% by volume of the composition.The composition includes a fibre-based reinforcement which makes up 10 to 35% by volume of the material and consists of a mixture of steel fibres or glass fibres with one or more other non-asbestos inorganic reinforcing materials e.g. steel fibre and mica, or steel fibre and milled glass.The friction material contains no asbestos, but has properties comparable with asbestos-based materials.

Abstract: Hydraulically-operable rotary friction brake comprising a retarding device incorporating hydraulically actuated operating members have a hydraulic circuit including a valve whereby in periods of operation a major portion of the hydraulic flow is directed through the hydraulically actuated operating members and in periods of non-actuation only a minor proportion of the hydraulic flow is directed through the operating members.

Abstract: Asbestos-free friction material compositions containing from about 20 to 45% by volume of the material of a thermoset binder of a phenol formaldehyde resin and optionally a heat and chemical reistant rubber, up to 10% by volume of an inert mineral filler and as the sole fibrous reinforcement 5 to 15% by volume of short lengths of steel fibers are disclosed. The compositions are useful as brake pads and the like and has properties comparable with asbestos-based materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition for a friction material, e.g. for a clutch facing, of the type containing a fibrous reinforcement, a binder and various additives.The composition contains a thermoset binder, the binder making up 15 to 40% by volume of the material.The fibrous reinforcement is a mixture of inorganic and organic fibres which makes up about 70 to 33% by volume of the material. The inorganic fibre is selected from metal fibres, glass fibre, mineral wools, silica fibres and ceramic fibres. The organic fibre can be wood pulp, jute, sisal, cotton.

Abstract: The friction characteristics and wear rate of grey cast iron are controlled within pre-determined limits by controlling the content in the cast iron of an element which is capable of forming in the cast iron hard high melting discrete particles.

Abstract: A flooring element having a moulded body and a partially raised surface which is of a material having a relatively high coefficient of friction, preferably the elements are provided with interlocking lugs so that a floor covering can be built up from a number of them.

Abstract: A friction brake includes a clutch device operable to connect friction plates to a rotary shaft so that they rotate with the shaft when the brake is to be operated by engaging said friction plates with a set of stator plates interleaved therewith.

Abstract: In a vehicle retarder system having a retarder with discs working in oil which is continuously circulated by a pump, a tapping is taken from the oil circuit upstream of a variable but never wholly closed valve to supply oil to an actuator of the retarder. When retardation is required, the valve is partly closed to increase the pressure in the tapping and so to actuate the retarder, while the flow of cooling oil through the retarder continues.