Design, Development and FE Thermal Analysis of a Radially Grooved Brake Disc Developed through Direct Metal Laser Sintering

The present research work analyzed the effect of design modification with radial grooves on disc brake performance and its thermal behavior by using additive manufacturing based 3D printed material maraging steel. Temperature distribution across the disc surface was estimated with different boundary conditions such as rotor speed, braking pressure, and braking time. Design modification and number of radial grooves were decided based on existing dimensions. Radial grooves were incorporated on disc surface through Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process to increase surface area for maximum heat dissipation and reduce the stresses induced during braking process. The radial grooves act as a cooling channels which provides an effective means of cooling the disc surface which is under severe condition of sudden fall and rise of temperatures during running conditions. ANSYS software is used for transient structural and thermal analysis to investigate the variations in temperatures profile across the disc with induced heat flux. FE based thermo-structural analysis was done to determine thermal strains induced in disc due to sudden temperature fluctuations. The maximum temperature and Von Mises stress in disc brake without grooves on disc surface were observed which can severely affect thermal fatigue and rupture brake disc surface. It was been observed by incorporating the radial grooves that the disc brake surface is thermally stable. Experimental results are in good agreement with FE thermal analysis. DMLS provides easy fabrication of disc brake with radial grooves and enhancement of disc brake performance at higher speeds and temperatures. Therefore, DMLS provides an effective means of implementing product development technology.