Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Coefficient of Friction Change with Heat 
Name: Rafi
Status: Other
Grade: Other
Location: Pakistan
Country: United States
Date: November 2008
Question:
Why brake pads, when pressed against a steel drum, loose friction at very high temperatures?


Replies:
There are probably a number of causes, but an important one is that the steel drum "polishes" the brake pad, so that the friction between the two components is less. The ability to stop depends upon converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into heat. Heat between the drum and brake pads, and heat between the tires and the road. In the second mechanism "slamming on the brakes" and locking the tires softens the rubber tires also reducing the friction.

Vince Calder


Click here to return to the Engineering Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory