Compressive fatigue and energy test apparatus and method for testing clutch plate friction materials

摘要

The present invention presents a means for simultaneously testing the compressive strength and measuring the thermal energy dissipated by a given friction material during slip. The testing apparatus includes a rotatable flywheel that rotates a transmission reaction plate to simulate a typical reaction plate in a vehicle transmission assembly. A plurality of test samples selectively interact with the reaction plate while being elevated by hydraulically actuated cylinders. The thermal energy dissipated between the reaction plate and each test sample is measured for each test sample. A method for accomplishing the same for a bill-of-design reference is also included.