BHOPAL, November 19: Advanced Material and Process Research Centre (AMPRI) Bhopal is developing an aluminum based composite material for automobile components. These components are being tested in vehicle research and development establishment (VRDE) on defence vehicles. AMPRI claims the components will be more efficient and cost effective than existing automobile components.
Centre has developed a brake drum from a combination of metal, ceramic and aluminum. The unconventional combination will improve braking efficiency in any vehicle.
“The new material is light weight and will have a better friction performance. So applying sudden break to stop a vehicle will be much easier with this component. We are using aluminum over cast iron which is 60% light in weight to make brake drums of four-wheelers. It will also increase life of material by making it more resistant to corrosion and is cost effective” said S Das, scientist AMPRI, who is also heading the project.
Brake drum made by the new composition has been tested in Army vehicle factory, Jabalpur for two years. The test was carried successfully on Jonga Jeep, which is used by defence personnel. The test has also shown an increase in breaking efficiency of new component by 20%, he said.
AMPRI has also installed a 400 ton pressure casting machine that produces around 50 to 60 components in an hour and also reduce the probability of defect in casting the brake drums.
“The component has proved to be effective and efficient in defence vehicles and plans are up to get it commercialized by supplying it to commercial automobile industries, informed Das.
