Abstract:
The practical part of the article focuses on the experimental comparison of brake discs made from two different materials – grey cast iron and a carbon-ceramic composite. Samples were extracted from the examined discs by water-jet cutting and subsequently subjected to a series of laboratory tests. Within the experiment, a spectral analysis of the chemical composition of the cast-iron samples was performed, along with microhardness measurements using the Vickers method on a QATM device, and tribological tests using the Ball-on-Disc method on the UMT TriboLab universal mechanical tester. Measurements were carried out under various loads in order to determine the coefficient of friction and volumetric wear of the materials. The obtained results revealed significant differences between the tested materials in terms of hardness, friction coefficient behavior, and wear resistance. Carbon-ceramic discs exhibited higher hardness and lower wear, whereas cast-iron discs showed variable friction characteristics depending on the applied load. The results provide a sound basis for an objective evaluation of the suitability of each material for different types of operational loading.
