Process flow of heat treatment stage
I. Core Functions of the Heat Treatment Stage
Material Stability Enhancement
Eliminates internal stress in materials through high-temperature processing, preventing cracks or deformation caused by temperature fluctuations during usage.
Optimizes microstructure of brake pad materials (e.g., steel fibers, resins) to extend service life under high-temperature conditions.
Heat Resistance Improvement
Enhances thermal stability by refining material compositions through controlled heating.
II. Specific Heat Treatment Processes
1. Heating Equipment & Temperature Control
Specialized heat treatment machines heat brake pad rough blanks to 160-170°C for ≥6 hours. This temperature range ensures effective material integration and performance enhancement.
2. Heating Methods
Vacuum heat treatment or electric furnace heating ensures uniform temperature distribution, preventing localized overheating-induced material degradation.
3. Operational Procedures
Step 1: Arrange hot-pressed friction plates neatly on iron trays and stack trays on racks.
Step 2: Load racks into curing ovens (max 6 racks per platform) and position platforms uniformly.
Step 3: Activate power supply.
Step 4: Select corresponding process parameters via touchscreen interface per process specifications; return to homepage.
Step 5: Initiate thermal processing by sequentially activating blower 1, blower 2, heater 1, heater 2, and exhaust system.
Step 6: After temperature stabilization, deactivate heaters 1/2 and open the intake valve below the oven's right side. Maintain blower/exhaust operation for ≥2 hours.
Step 7: Remove platforms after cooling to ambient temperature and transfer racks to downstream processes.
Critical requirement: Strict temperature control throughout. First-article inspection includes worker self-check, operator/supervisor recheck, and dedicated inspector verification.
III. Post-Treatment Processes
1. Grinding & Cutting
- Remove burrs from heat-treated brake pads using grinding machines to achieve design thickness and flatness.
2. Surface Treatment
- Painting: Anti-corrosion coating with aesthetic enhancement.
- Baking: High-temperature-resistant paint application.
- Surface hardening: Optional adhesion-enhancing treatment for specific products.
IV. Key Considerations
- Temperature monitoring: Strictly regulate heating duration/temperature to prevent material degradation.
- Equipment maintenance: Regularly calibrate heat treatment devices to ensure temperature accuracy.
Through this process flow, the heat treatment stage provides essential performance guarantees for brake pads, serving as an indispensable phase in manufacturing.
