A method of making a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) brake component may include the steps of applying a pressure to a mixture comprising ceramic powder and chopped fibers, pulsing an electrical discharge across the mixture to generate a pulsed plasma between particles of the ceramic powder, increasing a temperature applied to the mixture using direct heating to generate the CMC brake component, and reducing the temperature and the pressure applied to the CMC brake component. The ceramic powder may have a micrometer powder size or a nanometer powder size, and the chopped fibers may have an interphase coating.

Provided is an alkali metal titanate which, when used as a constituent material of a friction material, is excellent in heat resistance and friction force and capable of effectively suppressing wear of a mating material disposed to face the friction material. The alkali metal titanate includes a sodium atom and a silicon atom. The content of the sodium atom is 2.0 to 8.5 mass %. The content of the silicon atom is 0.2 to 2.5 mass %. The ratio of the content of an alkali metal atom other than the sodium atom to the content of the sodium atom is 0 to 6.

A brake assembly for use in a disc brake mechanism of a vehicle. The brake assembly includes an aluminum ceramic composite rotor connected to a central aluminum hub. The rotor includes projections extending radially inward toward the hub and engaging with through holes in the hub. The projections extend through the through holes to connect the rotor to the hub. The engagement between the projections and the through holes allows for radial movement of the projections relative to the through holes, which radial movement may be caused by thermal expansion of the rotor from heat generated during a breaking operation.

A friction pad body having a backing part and a friction part, which integrally consist of the same ceramic material, without a seam and joint. The ceramic material has a purity of at least 80% in relation to the total weight of the friction pad body. The friction pad body is preferably produced in the form of a sintered body by isostatic pressing so that a single-stage production process can be achieved.

The present invention provides a process for producing a friction material for a construction waste filler, including steps of: (S1) sorting a building material, removing fiber impurities, calcining, removing white garbage and metal impurities, and obtaining a first intermediate product; (S2) sifting and removing dust from the first intermediate product, obtaining an intermediate filler, cooling and then soaking after performing calcination on the intermediate filler, dehydrating, drying and obtaining a material to be mixed; (S3) evenly mixing the material to be mixed, graphite, molybdenum disulfide and other media materials, performing enhancement treatment, grinding and obtaining a building filler; and (S4) mixing composite fiber, phenolic resin, the building filler, friction material, pyrite, carbon black, alumina, and brass powder, stirring in a mixer for 20-40 min till all materials are fused, taking out a fused mixture, barreling, and obtaining the friction material for the construction waste filler.

A sintered friction material includes a copper component in an amount of 0.5% by mass or less, a titanate as a matrix, a ceramic material, and a lubricant. A method for manufacturing a sintered friction material includes a step of mixing raw materials including a titanate for forming a matrix, a step of molding the raw materials, and a step of sintering a molded body molded in the molding step. In the method, a sintering temperature in the sintering step is 900 C. to 1300 C.

The present invention is concerned with a frictional material composition not containing copper as an element or having the content of copper of 0.5 mass % or less, the composition containing a cashew dust; (A) potassium titanate; (B) one or more selected from the group consisting of lithium potassium titanate and magnesium potassium titanate; and (C) one or more selected from the group consisting of zirconium silicate, zirconium oxide, and magnesium oxide, wherein the content of the cashew dust is 1 to 10 mass %, and the content of the component (C) is 11 to 30 mass %.

A brake pad, a mixture of materials for forming a brake pad, and a method for forming a brake pad.

The invention provides use of fibre clusters in a friction material, friction materials comprising fibre clusters, and methods of making friction materials comprising fibre clusters. The fibre clusters have properties as defined in the specification.

Provided is an iron oxide powder for a brake friction material which can be suitably used in a brake friction material that is less likely to cause problems regarding brake squealing and that provides superior braking performance. The iron oxide powder for a brake friction material according to the present invention is characterized by having an average particle size of 40 m or more and a saturation magnetization of 20 emu/g or less. The iron oxide powder preferably has a pore volume of 10-180 mm.sup.3/g. The iron oxide powder also preferably has a BET specific surface area of 0.05-1.20 m.sup.2/g.