Abstract: A brake lining is made from a preform which has been formed by a compression step parallel to that surface of the brake lining preform which is to be the braking surface of the lining in use and has subsequently been compressed in a direction substantially normal to said surface to form the lining. The preform can be made by dewatering an aqueous slurry of the brake lining ingredients prior to the first compression step.

Abstract: Non-asbestos brake pads made of reinforcing, temperature resistant, web-forming fibers such as aromatic polyamide pulp, optionally including other fibers and friction and wear modifiers is described. The brake pads have an actual density not greater than 88% and not less than a 60% theoretical density. The pads are made by the slurry process in which the pad-forming constituents are fed as a slurry into a mold, dewattered and compressed, dried to a preform then heated and pressed to consolidate the preform to substantially the finished density without completely curing the binder. The consolidated pad is then baked to fully cure the binder.

Abstract: Low density friction products composed of non-asbestos reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix of binder material, optionally including friction and wear modifiers, are described in which the actual density of the product is less than 72% of the theoretical density. Clutch facings of this density exhibit improved wear characteristics, lower inertia and increased burst strength.