Physico-chemical characterization of corrosion scales in braking systems

Identification of corrosion-related failures is of crucial importance for both prevention and solution application in automotive industry, as well as in several other manufacturing fields. For this reason, punctual, precise and reliable characterization of corrosion products is fundamental in order to sustain a correct determination of corrosion phenomena and obtain an in-depth understanding of corrosion mechanisms. Characterization of corrosion scales in braking system represents an extremely challenging problem, due to the variety of materials involved and the possible working condition encountered. At the same time, nowadays specific literature is essentially not available. The present work aims at covering this void through reviewing the experimental techniques usable to identify and characterize corrosion products, with specific reference to their application in brake systems case. In particular, great attention is devoted to the following points: i) Crossing results from different analytical tools in order to achieve broader comprehension of corrosion phenomena; ii) Advanced analytical techniques for characterization; and iii) In-situ or in-operando application for possible real-time monitoring. All the previously listed points are supported in the following work by experimental examples with particular reference to the friction materials (FM).