Lumag – the leading brake friction material supplier – has revealed the results of its latest benchmarking exercise, where once again leading OES and aftermarket brands underperformed compared to Lumag’s own brand BRECK brake pads and discs.
Testing the advanced LU 704 brake material in comparative dyno tests with other friction material from different reputable manufacturers, including a true OES supplier, plus a number of aftermarket brands. The findings of this latest benchmarking exercise looked to demonstrate the important value placed on brake pad and disc effectiveness and wear, markers of parts longevity, performance and a huge contributor to driver safety and customer satisfaction.
In this latest benchmarking exercise, two core areas were investigated including brake efficiency (according to SAE J2522), and wear (of friction material and brake disc – according to SAE J2707), both of which were undertaken on a popular passenger vehicle upon a dynamometer bench.
Testing matters
The first test – AK Master – is used to characterise the brake pads in terms of friction coefficient.
The nominal value of this coefficient is normally in the range: 0,35-0,45. The coefficient is never constant during the test, and changes as a function of temperature, speed and pressure. Brake pads exposed to certain factors such as high temperature have the ability to change their properties permanently. In the ideal case, the friction pair would always have a constant value of friction coefficient.
The test undertaken by Lumag included:
- Nominal friction coefficient
- Minimum coefficient of friction during tests
- Drop of braking performance (in %) in 1st and 2nd fading
- Friction coefficient in motorway section
Brake snubs were also tested, including braking distances from speeds of 120km/h to 80km/h, and deceleration (braking intensity) and the time of brake stop when braking from 120km/h to 80km/h. Brake snubs at constant pressure was also tested.
Placed against five competitor parts, the LU 704 material showed much better braking performance efficiency than all the other compared friction materials. The only exception is the first fading, when the coefficient of friction drops to values lower than those of the OE manufacturer parts but remains higher than the remaining competition. In all other parts of the test, Breck material is even better than materials specifically developed for OES.
An additional wear test was also undertaken. This test consisted of imitating different driving conditions such as urban, motorway, suburban and mountain. After each cycle the thickness and weight of the brake pads and the disc were measured. The expectation of a quality brake pad is that the level of wear upon the disc and pad would remain relatively small. The LU 704 saw average wear to the pad of just 0.36mm, beating the next closest competitor – the OES economy line – by 0.05mm.
When looking at the results of the wear test the BRECK LU 704 discs consistently performed positively, with the average wear of competitor friction material showing higher values of wear within the region of by 25% – 55%. The only exception to this is those brake discs that utilise a higher copper content. As a result, this may make it unattainable to achieve a true wear result.
Colin Smit, said: “An efficient braking system is paramount to the safety of any vehicle. The fact that brake pads are still ranked by price alone is not only irresponsible, but it demonstrates a lack of understanding of the more crucial factors that provide better performance, safety and longevity of a brake pad.
“I hope that this latest benchmarking exercise will continue the conversation around what really matters when it comes to braking. Such exercises are incredibly important, and we shall continue to undertake them – and share the results with the market – in an attempt to better educate both our factor and mechanic customers.”
Find out more
For further details on Lumag’s range available to the aftermarket, please call 0121 520 1160 or email office@lumagltd.co.uk. Alternatively, visit www.lumagltd.co.uk to find the latest products, as well as the latest BRECK e-catalogue.
Ends
Word count: 660
For more information, interviews or images please contact:
Kimberley Hornby, Hornby Whitefoot PR
Tel: 01604 373700 E-mail: kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.uk
About LUMAG
With a history spanning almost 30 years, LUMAG was founded in Poland in 1988 by CEO Marek Żak, initially focusing on the production of brake linings before later implementing its own brake pad manufacturing technology. Over the years the company has achieved enormous technological progress, through applied engineering solutions as well as the continuous rise of quality and safety standards.
Since September 2013 it has been operating out of a purpose built new production facility located 60km from Poznań in the town of Budzyń, covering an area of approx. 19,000 square metres, allowing the company to satisfy ever-growing customer needs and to meet strict demands of the OEM market.
The factory features an automated mixing facility, designed and custom-built for the manufacture of friction materials, coupled with high-capacity processing lines. The investment has multiplied its previous production capacity and allowed it to increase its headcount by around 10%.
The company’s mission is to supply car and commercial vehicle users with high-quality products ensuring safe braking, and in doing so, improving the safety of all road users.
LUMAG’s UK operations are based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Further information can be found at www.lumagltd.co.uk.