Dr. Peter Filip is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes Department, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has done his Ph. D in Physical Metallurgy from TU Ostrava, Czech Republic while D.Sc. in Physical Metallurgy from Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic. His research fields include analytical procedures and friction materials’ design optimization tools based on the understanding of the mechanisms and the relationship between structure and the properties of metals (steels for nuclear power plants, titanium alloys, shape memory alloys-SMA), ceramics (high-T superconductors, bio-ceramics, carbon-carbon composites), composite materials (MMC: Ti-alloy/bio-ceramics/SMA, polymer matrix composites: phenolics, Kevlar, carbon fiber, glassy phase, metallic fiber, ceramics and mineral fiber and particulates). He has done pioneering work in the development and optimization of smart human implants. He has 100 publications including three books and seven patents to his credit.

Title- "Structure-Properties-Friction and Wear Performance of Phenolic Matrix Brake Materials".

Abstract- Phenolic matrix composites are frequently used for the manufacturing of brake linings and shoes. The kinetic energy is dissipated in these materials during a friction process, which leads to the braking of the vehicle and to a wear process. A better understanding of the frictional performance as well as consistent and well-defined properties of brake materials and their tailored manufacturing are important from the point of view of transportation and environmental safety.

The performance (coefficient of friction, wear rate, and noise generation) of brake materials depends on the bulk structure and properties, as well as on the parameters of the friction surface. A friction layer is always generated on the surfaces of rubbing materials. The friction layer has a different chemistry, structure and physical characteristics when compared to the bulk, and its formation results from complex mechano-chemical interactions.

The presented paper provides an overview of philosophies applied to the development of friction materials for brake applications, summarizes the analytical methods and testing strategies used for their characterization and discusses modeling of the coefficient of friction and wear based on the  understanding of the real structure as well as physical and chemical phenomena occurring on the friction surface. It is shown that a detailed understanding of real processes can help in the designing and development of reliable materials with tailored properties at lower costs.