Selection of brake friction materials using hybrid analytical hierarchy process and vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje approach

Selection of proper formulation is one of the most challenging tasks in the design and development of brake friction materials. Improper selection often leads to premature component or product failure during working. This article develops an evaluation approach based on VIKOR (Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje) strengthened with AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) to choose an optimal friction material formulation according to several performance defining criteria, which are probably conflicting. Friction materials based on the variation of Kevlar–lapinus and lapinus–wollastonite fibers are fabricated and characterized for their physical, chemical, mechanical, and tribological performance. The tribological performance was evaluated on a Krauss type friction tester following R-90 norms as per ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) regulations. Experimental results in-terms of friction performance, fade performance, wear performance, friction stability, recovery performance, friction variability, friction fluctuations, and disc-temperature rise were considered as criterions for performance optimization. The weight of importance for each criterion was determined by AHP, while VIKOR is employed to rank the alternatives. The results show that the formulation with 27.5/2.5 wt% of lapinus/Kevlar fiber combination exhibit optimal properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers