Brake Pads Chopped Carbon Fiber
Chopped carbon fiber, typically 3-12mm in length and 5-7μm in diameter, is a high-performance reinforcing component in premium brake pad formulations, elevating thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and friction stability for high-end automotive and racing applications. Its carbonaceous structure outperforms conventional fibers in withstanding extreme braking temperatures and cyclic mechanical loads.
Material Traits and Functional Mechanisms
Boasting a thermal conductivity of 150-200W/(m·K) and tensile strength exceeding 3.5GPa, chopped carbon fiber efficiently dissipates heat from the friction interface, mitigating thermal fade and reducing brake pad wear under high-load conditions. Its low density (1.78g/cm³) minimizes composite weight, a critical advantage for performance vehicles pursuing lightweighting goals.
Unlike metallic fibers, chopped carbon fiber does not induce excessive rotor abrasion, as its lamellar surface forms a protective transfer film during braking. It exhibits excellent chemical inertness, unaffected by brake fluids, acids, and environmental contaminants—though poor wettability with resin binders, if unaddressed, can undermine interfacial adhesion.
Formulation适配 and Application Scope
Loading Optimization and Composite Synergies
In ceramic and low-metallic brake pads, chopped carbon fiber is incorporated at 2%-6% by weight. This range balances reinforcing effects and friction stability: lower loading fails to enhance heat transfer, while excess content reduces friction coefficient and increases braking noise. When paired with graphite and aramid pulp, it compensates for organic components’ low rigidity.
High-End Market Orientation
Widely adopted in racing, luxury passenger vehicles, and heavy-duty industrial machinery, chopped carbon fiber caters to scenarios demanding consistent performance at temperatures up to 600°C. Annat Brake Pads Chemical Materials integrates it into high-performance formulations, aligning with global demands for premium, durable friction solutions.
Processing Challenges and Quality Control
Preserving fiber integrity is paramount—excessive mixing shear fractures fibers, reducing their aspect ratio and reinforcing efficiency. Manufacturers adopt low-speed, spiral mixing processes, pre-treating fibers with silane coupling agents to improve resin compatibility and prevent agglomeration.
Purity standards require carbon content ≥99%, with ash content ≤0.5%—impurities like silica and metal oxides degrade thermal conductivity. Fiber length uniformity is controlled via air classification, ensuring D90/D10 ≤2.5 to guarantee consistent dispersion in the composite matrix.
Performance Validation and Industry Trends
Dynamometer testing confirms that carbon fiber-reinforced brake pads exhibit 25% lower thermal fade and 30% higher wear resistance than glass fiber-based counterparts, with friction coefficient variation within ±0.02 under extreme cyclic loads.
Driven by the rise of electric performance vehicles, demand for chopped carbon fiber grows—its heat-dissipating properties align with regenerative braking systems’ needs. A common production challenge is fiber clumping, addressed via precision pre-dispersion. A typical typo in technical specs is misspelling "conductivity" as "conductivty," confusing material thermal performance parameters.