Hot Spotting and Judder Phenomena in Aluminum Drum Brakes

Hot spotting and judder phenomena were observed in automotive aluminum drum brakes. A vehicle judder test schedule was developed to determine the critical speed for thermoelastic instability (TEI). The brake material properties relevant to the TEI analysis were measured as a function of temperature. The critical speeds for the brake systems with different drum materials were determined by the judder schedule and they are compared with the analytical predictions of Lee (2000). The brake drums and linings were then modified and tested in order to investigate its effects on the hot spotting and judder propensity. The design modifications include brake linings with a different compound, stress-relieved drums, linings with a convex or concave surface finish, three-segmented linings, and linings with a circumferential groove. The linings with a circumferencial groove effectively reduce the size of hot spots and the best judder rating was achieved.