Eco-Sustainable Friction Materials: Optimization of Environmental Performances guided by Life Cycle assessment and Tribological properties

The PhD project, developed through a collaboration between the University of Turin and ITT Motion Technologies, investigates the environmental sustainability of friction materials used in automotive braking systems. As the automotive sector is facing increasing pressure to reduce emissions and resource consumption, the project aims to integrate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with tribological performance analysis to guide the development of eco-sustainable friction materials. The study identifies key environmental hotspots emerged from a detailed environmental assessment of raw materials commonly used in friction formulations. Many of these components are essential for ensuring mechanical strength and friction stability but are associated with high greenhouse gas emissions and energy-intensive production processes. To reduce the environmental impact of lining materials, a reduction of the quantity of high-impact materials and the substitution with more sustainable alternatives is needed. Priority of action was assigned to the replacement of potassium titanate and the research explores the potential of boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)) as substitute material. A multiscale experimental approach is adopted to explore both alternatives’ behaviors, combining material characterization, tribological testing and third body layer (TBL) analysis. This work provides a methodological framework for incorporating environmental criteria into the development of friction materials. The findings contribute to the broader goal of decarbonizing the transport sector and development of sustainability in automotive manufacturing