A metal matrix composite article that includes at least first and second regions, first and second reinforcement materials, a metal matrix composite material occupying the second region of the body and comprising a metal matrix material and the second reinforcement component, a preform positioned in the first region of the body and infiltrated by at least the metal matrix material of the metal matrix composite material. The article further includes a transition region located proximate an outer surface of the preform that includes a distribution of the second reinforcement component comprising a density increasing according to a second gradient in a direction toward the outer surface of the preform.

A brake rotor having a composite structure may include an annular body defining opposite friction surfaces of the brake rotor. The annular body may include a core made of an AlSi alloy, a thermal barrier layer made of a thermally insulating material disposed on the core, and a wear-resistant layer made of an FeAlSiZr alloy disposed on the core over the thermal barrier layer. The wear-resistant layer may define a first one of the opposite friction surfaces of the annular body.

A method of making a fibrous preform in carbon and/or fibres of a carbon precursor may include superposing at least two layers of carbon fibres and/or fibres of a carbon precursor according to a predefined superposition axis Z so as to form a multilayer body. The method may also include needle-punching via least one first needle-punching device the multilayer body in a needle-punching direction substantially parallel to the superposition axis Z to arrange at least part of the fibres parallel to the superposition axis Z, so as to obtain a needle-punched multilayer body. An optional step may include superposing with each other according to the superposition axis Z two or more of the needle-punched multilayer bodies, obtained separately by applying the above steps.

A method of making a fibrous preform in carbon and/or fibres of a carbon precursor may include superposing at least two layers of carbon fibres and/or fibres of a carbon precursor according to a predefined superposition axis Z so as to form a multilayer body. The method may also include needle-punching via least one first needle-punching device the multilayer body in a needle-punching direction substantially parallel to the superposition axis Z to arrange at least part of the fibres parallel to the superposition axis Z, so as to obtain a needle-punched multilayer body. An optional step may include superposing with each other according to the superposition axis Z two or more of the needle-punched multilayer bodies, obtained separately by applying the above steps.

A brake disc for disc brake comprises a braking band made of gray cast iron or steel, provided with two opposite braking surfaces, each of which defines at least partially one of the two main faces of the disc. The brake disc is provided with a base layer made of totally nickel-free steel which covers at least one of the two braking surfaces of the braking band.

A brake pad having a layer of friction material integrally moulded with a backing plate, wherein the backing plate having an electroconductive member moulded within a plate of a fibre-reinforced polymer resin, the electroconductive member extending along a plate direction, the backing plate having a front surface forming an interface with a rear surface of the layer of friction material, wherein the electroconductive member is profiled in a thickness direction of the backing plate to provide at least one projection extending towards the interface or into the layer of friction material and arranged to function as a wear indicator for the brake pad. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the brake pad.

A caliper body for a disc brake is described. The caliper body is adapted to straddle an associable brake disc. The caliper body may have a first elongated portion, or a vehicle-side elongated portion, at least partially adapted to face the first braking surface. The caliper body may also have a second elongated portion, or wheel-side elongated portion, opposite to the first elongated portion and at least partially adapted to face the second braking surface. At least one part of the first elongated portion has at least a first module and at least one part of the second elongated portion has at least a second module. The first module and the second module are obtained by at least one non-additive manufacturing technique.

A method and system for latching a solenoid. The method includes providing an axle disconnect system having an actuator with an electromagnetic coil, a housing, an armature, and a rotatable and axially slidable slide ring. The electromagnetic coil may then energized creating a magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit thereby causing the armature to move from a first to a second axial position where the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Once the electromagnetic coil has been energized, it is de-energized thereby allowing an amount of residual magnetism within the housing and/or the armature to maintain the armature in the second axial position. The armature is maintained in the second axial position by the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit being uninterrupted.

A method and system for latching a solenoid. The method includes providing an axle disconnect system having an actuator with an electromagnetic coil, a housing, an armature, and a rotatable and axially slidable slide ring. The electromagnetic coil may then energized creating a magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit thereby causing the armature to move from a first to a second axial position where the magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit is uninterrupted. Once the electromagnetic coil has been energized, it is de-energized thereby allowing an amount of residual magnetism within the housing and/or the armature to maintain the armature in the second axial position. The armature is maintained in the second axial position by the magnetic flux of the magnetic circuit being uninterrupted.

A method for making a braking band (2) for a brake disc (1) for a disc brake, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a mold (10) having an inner cavity (11), which comprises a first portion (11a) of a shape corresponding to the braking band (2) to be made; b) preparing a band preform (20) comprising a central layer (200) made of porous ceramic material comprising silicon carbide (SiC), an upper outer layer (201) and a lower outer layer (202), said upper outer layer (201) and said lower outer layer (202) being made of porous ceramic material comprising silicon carbide (SiC) and infiltrated with silicon (SiC+Si), said upper outer layer (201) and said bottom outer layer (202) being arranged in an opposing way and on opposite sides of the central layer (200); c) placing said band preform (20) inside the mold at the first portion (11a) of said inner cavity (11); and d) injecting a liquid or semi-solid aluminum alloy inside the entire inner cavity (11) of the mold (11) so as to infiltrate only the central layer (200) of said band preform (20) made of porous ceramic material with said aluminum alloy, obtaining at the first portion (11a) an aluminum metal matrix composite reinforced by said central preform (200) which defines the braking band (2) to be made. A braking band and a brake disc are made at least with the aforesaid method.