Asbestos free clutch facings having crown grooving

摘要

An asbestos-free clutch plate assembly has a reduced break-in phase and a facing which is substantially uniformly supported by the clutch plate. The assembly comprises a clutch plate defining a first surface and having a plurality of cambered portions. A substantially rigid, wear resistant, asbestos-free facing is attached to the first surface. The clutch facing has a plurality of grooves formed therein with each groove located substantially along the peak of one of the cambered portions thereby reducing the amount of material to be worn away during the break-in phase. The grooves further enable the clutch facing to conform to the contour of the surface so as to be substantially uniformly supported thereby.