Analysis of elemental and mineralogical composition of car brake pads

Abstract

The car traffic is an important source of particle emission. The inevitable process of car stopping is related with the particles emission because of break pad waning. High temperature, pressure and friction induces chemical or morphological changes of the initial composition of brake pads. Brake pads are mainly combined of different materials: carbon, silicates and iron oxides. This study presents a summary of elemental and mineralogical composition of different brake pads commonly used in Lithuania. The mineralogical composition of brake pad samples were identified by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction Spectrometry), while the elemental composition was determined by XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry) and EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy). The texture and morphology was determined with SEM-EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Various particles of heavy elements - Ba, Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Al, Sb, V, Y, Pb have significant impact on health and environment.