Abstract: Friction material that is substantially free of elemental metals, metal alloys, and antimony trisulfide, wherein the solid lubricant includes a metal sulfide. The disclosed compositions of the friction material are believed to be more environment-friendly than conventional compositions. However, the substantial elimination of elemental metals, metal alloys, and antimony trisulfide from the disclosed compositions is performed in a manner that does not appear to substantially impact the friction performance and noise behavior of the corresponding brake components. Moreover, it is believed that at least some of the disclosed compositions increase the useful lifespan of the brake components and reduce wear of the rotors. The longer brake-components lifespan and lower rotor wear provide additional benefits in terms of reducing non-exhaust-related vehicle emissions, which further alleviates the environmental impact of traffic emissions.

Abstract: A brake pad having a backing plate, friction lining, and a surface coating adhered to the friction lining. The surface coating may be formulated to generate a transfer layer on a brake rotor faster than the friction lining alone. The surface coating may be adhered to the friction lining in a predetermined design.

Abstract: Provided is a friction material that includes a boron-containing solid lubricant. The friction material may be used to form a brake pad for automotive vehicles. The friction material may include, by weight, about 1.0% to about 6.0% of the boron-containing solid lubricant, about 5.0% to about 15.0% of a fibrous or powdered metal material, an abrasive, an organic filler, an inorganic filler, and a binder. Advantageously, an antimony free and copper free friction material of the present disclosure may still achieve high fiction performance and long pad life, providing a more environment friendly solution to brake systems.

Abstract: A brake pad having a surface coating operable to enhance the bedding-in process during normal operation. The surface coating may be formulated using one or more materials found in a friction lining of the brake pad. The surface coating may be formulated using only non-metal materials.

Abstract: A brake pad having a backing plate, friction lining, and a surface coating adhered to the friction lining. The surface coating may be formulated to generate a transfer layer on a brake rotor faster than the friction lining alone. The surface coating may be adhered to the friction lining in a predetermined design.

Abstract: A brake pad having a backing plate, friction lining, and a surface coating adhered to the friction lining. The surface coating may be formulated to generate a transfer layer on a brake rotor faster than the fiction lining alone. The surface coating may be adhered to the friction lining in a predetermined design.

Abstract: A brake pad having a surface coating operable to enhance the bedding-in process during normal operation. The surface coating may be formulated using one or more materials found in a friction lining of the brake pad. The surface coating may be formulated using only non-metal materials.

Abstract: A brake pad having a backing plate, friction lining, and a surface coating adhered to the friction lining. The surface coating may be formulated to generate a transfer layer on a brake rotor faster than the fiction lining alone. The surface coating may be adhered to the friction lining in a predetermined design.

Abstract: A brake pad apparatus having a conductivity sensor disposed thereon operable to generate conductivity data corresponding to the remaining thickness of the brake pad's friction lining. The conductivity data may be analyzed by a processor to estimate the remaining life of the brake pad for purposes of maintenance, diagnostic, or repair. The conductivity sensor may utilize a conductivity probe that comprises one or more insulation coatings to insulate conductive material from the friction lining. The brake pad apparatus may further comprise a wireless transmitter to transmit data to a processor external to the brake pad apparatus.

Abstract: A brake pad assembly having a consolidated lining comprised of an enhancement framework disposed within a tribological lining, the enhancement framework and tribological lining having substantially the same compressibility factor. The enhancement framework or tribological lining may advantageously be manufactured using an additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: A brake pad apparatus having a conductivity sensor disposed thereon operable to generate conductivity data corresponding to the remaining thickness of the brake pad's friction lining. The conductivity data may be analyzed by a processor to estimate the remaining life of the brake pad for purposes of maintenance, diagnostic, or repair. The conductivity sensor may utilize a conductivity probe that comprises one or more insulation coatings to insulate conductive material from the friction lining. The brake pad apparatus may further comprise a wireless transmitter to transmit data to a processor external to the brake pad apparatus.

Abstract: A wireless brake pad monitor system comprising a number of brake pad monitors operable to measure and monitor the physical state of a number of brake pads. Each brake pad monitor is further in wireless communication with at least one other brake pad monitor of the system. One brake pad monitor of the system may be configured to act as a coordinating member of the network to organize and command the other brake pad monitors.

Abstract: A brake pad assembly having a consolidated lining comprised of an enhancement framework disposed within a tribological lining, the enhancement framework and tribological lining having substantially the same compressibility factor. The enhancement framework or tribological lining may advantageously be manufactured using an additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: A coating, in particular a coating for a back side of a brake pad opposite a braking side, includes a pair of bonding layers and a composite layer. Each of the bonding layers includes an epoxy material. The composite layer is disposed between the pair of bonding layers, and includes a mixture of a rubber material and particles of a secondary material. A method for forming the coating includes coating a layer of epoxy onto the surface to be coated to form a first bonding layer, coating the mixture of the rubber material and particles of a secondary material onto the first bonding layer to form a composite layer, coating a layer of epoxy to the composite layer to form a second bonding layer, and then curing the coating via a curing process.

Abstract: A coating, in particular a coating for a back side of a brake pad opposite a braking side, includes a pair of bonding layers and a composite layer. Each of the bonding layers includes an epoxy material. The composite layer is disposed between the pair of bonding layers, and includes a mixture of a rubber material and particles of a secondary material. A method for forming the coating includes coating a layer of epoxy onto the surface to be coated to form a first bonding layer, coating the mixture of the rubber material and particles of a secondary material onto the first bonding layer to form a composite layer, coating a layer of epoxy to the composite layer to form a second bonding layer, and then curing the coating via a curing process.

Abstract: A method of making a reinforced friction material in one embodiment includes, molding a friction material composition having a predetermined pattern imparted into the molded structure. Reinforcement material is then deposited in one or more patterned areas followed by curing to produce a reinforced friction article.

Abstract: A friction material includes a binder, a reinforcement fiber, and a friction modifier which in turn includes flat layered titanate particles and baryte particles, wherein the baryte particles constitute less than 25% by volume of the friction material. The flat layered titanate particle may include alkali metal titanate particles, and more specifically potassium lithium titanate particles. Other flat layered titanates, including alkali metal alkaline earth metal titanates may also be used. The titanate particles may be used in an amount of 3-25% by volume of the friction material, and more specifically 5-15% by volume thereof. They may also have particle sizes ranging from 0.1-500 ?m, and more specifically 1-30 ?m, and even more specifically 15-30 ?m. The friction material may include a binder or binders in an amount of about 8-31% by volume of the friction material. The friction material may also include reinforcement fibers in an amount of about 2-13% by volume of the friction material.