Brake Technology
TRW achieves a braking first
TRW has introduced Cotec - an innovative coating for its brake pads. Independent tests have proven that Cotec
achieves significantly shorter stopping distances for the first stops after leaving a garage following a brake pad
change. In the normal bedding in process there is a period at the beginning where the friction co-efficient is lower
than usual.
D
rivers can find it difficult to adjust
to the difference in performance
during these first stops.
TRW Cotec brake pads address this
issue by improving the contact between
the brake disc and pad. TRW has made
the decision to coat all of its brake
pads with Cotec. The changeover is
already underway with 450 of the fastest
moving references, covering 90% of the
European car parc, already Cotec coated.
Scorching is also a vital part of the
manufacturing process and involves
heating the brake pad material to 600700°C. Scorching allows the evacuation
of gases and resins, trapped inside the
friction material at the mixing stage.
This helps to reduce the bedding in
time to a minimum. Not all aftermarket
suppliers carry out scorching, which
means that the bedding process is
extended. TRW utilises advanced heat
plate scorching. Not only is this the OE
standard, but it is more effective and uses
less energy than conventional scorching
techniques.
During the process of advanced heat
plate scorching, the friction material of
the brake pad is pressed to a heated
plate. This heats the matrix of the friction
material, allowing carbonisation to occur
to the first 0.5 to 1.5mm of its surface.
The friction material is the most important
part of a brake pad. All TRW brake pads
contain the optimum mix of raw materials
from rubber to graphite.
TRW has made a significant investment
over the years to ensure the perfect
mix. The ingredients ensure a stable
friction coefficient and the safest braking
performance in all temperatures, at all
speeds and under all conditions.
Another important part of the brake pad
is the back plates, which are high-quality
steel plates that carry the friction material
required for the braking function. The
friction material is bound to the disc-facing
surface of the back plate. The backing
plate is powder coated which protects the
back plate from rust.
The backing plates used by TRW are
designed, patented and produced in-house
to OE specification. They are fitted to the
friction material with a unique adhesive
compound which can withstand high
temperatures and resists extremely high
shear strengths.
All TRW brake pads undergo a rigorous
set of tests during production and on the
road and the aftermarket testing mirrors
OE procedures.
Many aftermarket suppliers in Europe
consider their adherence to ECE R90
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july 2014
specifications as a mark of excellence, but
for TRW, this is a minimum.
TRW goes the extra mile with its testing
procedures and its brake pads undergo
a further shear strength test during
production control to ensure that the pad
material will not separate from the backing
plate.
In addition, TRW places great emphasis
on noise reduction and its brake pads are
fitted with high quality shims which act as
a damper between the friction material and
the brake caliper. The friction components
are tested in NVH (noise vibration
harshness) laboratories and on the road.
But TRW is taking things to the next level.
For the best possible
performance, TRW now uses a
fibre glass material instead of
rubber for its shims. And where at
an OE level, vehicle manufacturers
use a metal shim held in place
with special adhesive, TRW
aftermarket parts follow suit.
And for the best possible noise
reduction, many TRW pads have
integrally moulded shims and a
multi-layer construction.