1. Evaluation of braking performance
Braking effect:
Braking effect is one of the most direct and key indicators to measure the performance of automobile calipers. Among them, braking distance is the most intuitive way to measure braking effect. A shorter braking distance means that the vehicle can decelerate from high-speed driving to stop in a shorter time, which greatly improves driving safety. When testing the braking distance, it is necessary to conduct it in a standard test site and conditions to ensure the accuracy of the test results. Braking deceleration is also an important indicator for evaluating braking effect, which reflects the speed of vehicle deceleration. In emergency braking, a higher braking deceleration can stabilize the vehicle faster and reduce the possibility of accidents. The quality of braking effect depends not only on the material and design of the caliper itself, but also on the coordinated work of the tire, brake disc and the entire braking system.
Thermal stability:
The braking performance of automobile calipers at high temperatures is the key to evaluating their thermal stability. In the case of continuous braking or high-intensity braking, the brake caliper will generate a lot of heat due to friction, resulting in temperature rise. If the thermal conductivity of the caliper material is poor or the thermal expansion coefficient is large, it may lead to a decrease in braking performance, that is, thermal decay. When evaluating the thermal stability of ductile iron automotive calipers, it is necessary to simulate the braking process under high temperature conditions, observe and record the changes in the braking effect. The evaluation of thermal decay is also very important, which reflects whether the caliper can quickly restore the braking performance after long-term high-intensity braking. For high-performance vehicles or racing cars, thermal stability is one of the key factors that determine the outcome of the race.
Response speed:
Braking response speed is another important indicator for measuring the performance of automotive calipers. From the driver stepping on the brake pedal to the brake caliper starting to work, the response time involved in this process is extremely short, but it is crucial to driving safety. A faster braking response time means that the vehicle can enter the braking state faster, thereby shortening the braking distance. At the same time, the brake pressure build-up speed is also a key parameter for evaluating the response speed. It reflects the speed of pressure rise in the braking system, which directly affects the response speed of the braking effect. In order to improve the braking response speed, automotive designers continue to optimize the structural layout and pipeline design of the braking system to reduce the response time and improve the braking efficiency.
2. Evaluation of wear resistance
Wear amount:
Wear resistance is an important indicator for evaluating the service life and performance stability of automotive calipers. Among them, wear amount is one of the most intuitive evaluation methods. It reflects the volume of wear on the brake caliper after long-term use. The amount of wear is not only related to the material and process level of the caliper, but also closely related to the braking conditions, the material of the brake disc and the driver's driving habits. In order to accurately evaluate the amount of wear, it is necessary to regularly measure the degree of wear of the caliper and record the relevant data. At the same time, accelerated wear tests can be performed by simulating actual braking conditions to evaluate the wear resistance of the caliper under different conditions. Smaller wear means longer service life and more stable performance of the caliper.
Friction coefficient:
The friction coefficient is a key parameter to measure the friction performance between the brake caliper and the brake disc. During the braking process, the friction coefficient determines the quality of the braking effect and the level of wear resistance. A stable friction coefficient can ensure the consistency of the braking effect and avoid the degradation of braking performance due to fluctuations in the friction coefficient. The range of variation of the friction coefficient is also one of the important indicators for evaluating wear resistance. Under different working conditions, such as temperature, humidity, speed, etc., the friction coefficient will change to a certain extent. If the range of variation of the friction coefficient is too large, it may lead to unstable braking performance and reduced wear resistance. When evaluating the wear resistance of ductile iron automotive calipers, the friction coefficient needs to be tested and recorded in detail.
Surface quality:
The surface quality of automotive calipers has a direct impact on wear resistance. A smooth, crack-free, and peel-free caliper surface can reduce friction and wear between the brake disc and improve wear resistance. On the contrary, if the caliper surface is defective or improperly treated, it may cause increased wear and reduce service life. When evaluating the wear resistance of ductile iron automotive calipers, the surface quality needs to be checked in detail. This includes observing the finish of the caliper surface, measuring the surface hardness, and checking for defects such as cracks and peeling. By improving the production process and surface treatment technology, the surface quality and wear resistance of the caliper can be further improved.
3. Other evaluation methods
Bench test:
Bench test is an important method for evaluating the performance of automotive calipers. By simulating real braking conditions under laboratory conditions, various performance tests and evaluations are performed on the caliper. Bench test has the advantages of controllable test conditions and accurate test data, and can comprehensively evaluate the key indicators of the caliper such as braking performance, wear resistance and thermal stability. In the bench test, different braking conditions can be simulated by adjusting the test parameters (such as brake pressure, brake speed, temperature, etc.) to evaluate the performance of the caliper under different conditions. At the same time, the performance differences of calipers of different materials and different design structures can be compared and analyzed to provide improvement and optimization directions for automotive designers.
Road test:
Road test is an important method to evaluate the performance and wear resistance of automotive calipers in actual use. By conducting braking tests on real roads, the performance of calipers under different conditions can be observed and recorded. Road tests have the advantages of real test conditions and test results closer to actual use effects. However, road tests also have disadvantages such as difficult to control test conditions and test data being greatly affected by environmental factors. When conducting road tests, it is necessary to select appropriate test sections and test conditions to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results. It is also necessary to analyze and process the test data in detail to extract useful information to evaluate the performance and wear resistance of the caliper.
Material analysis:
Material analysis is the basis for evaluating the performance of automotive calipers. By analyzing the chemical composition, metallographic structure and microstructure of the caliper, we can understand its material characteristics, process level and possible defects. Chemical composition analysis can help us understand the content and proportion of various elements in the caliper; metallographic observation can help us understand the microstructure and phase composition of the caliper; and microstructure analysis can further reveal the performance characteristics and wear resistance mechanism of the caliper. Material analysis can provide scientific basis and technical support for optimizing the material and process of the caliper. It can also compare and evaluate the performance of different types of caliper materials, and provide material selection suggestions and guidance for automotive designers.