Heavy Vehicles Brake Drums — An Accurate Evaluation on Thermal Loads in Severe Service Conditions

Heavy vehicles service brakes are subject to severe loading conditions that can exceed the design conditions of safe operating performance in critical situations. Materials are prone to lose their design properties at high temperatures. Since the function of brakes is to convert the vehicle kinetic energy into heat by friction, temperature is the main variable to be considered, due to the fade of the linings composite material and cast iron drum deformation. The intent of this work is to evaluate the thermal loads of brake drums, when subjected to severe service conditions, in order to allow further analyses, mainly related to their dimensional and form variation. A case study is described, showing the possibility of the development of high temperatures and consequent risk of accidents in a real long downhill descent. Experimental data were preferably used to assure higher accuracy to the analysis. In the authors’ further work, a FEA simulation will be conducted with the data supplied in the present paper.