In this paper, a methodology for conducting a computer simulation of the frictional heating process of a multi-disc braking system is proposed. The single braking of a system of three identical discs made of carbon-carbon (C/C) carbon frictional composite material (CFCM) is considered. In order to determine the operational characteristics of the brake, a heat dynamics of friction (HDF) system of equations is formulated, which takes into account the contact pressure rise time, thermal sensitivity of the C/C material, the change in the coefficient of friction during braking, the parameters of the friction surface's microgeometry and the mutual influence of sliding velocity and temperature. A numerical solution using the finite element method (FEM) of the HDF system of equations allows us to determine changes in key braking process characteristics, such as work done, braking torque, friction coefficient, heat transfer coefficient, velocity and temperature. Finally, a comparative analysis of the results obtained for three different time profiles of the coefficient of friction is carried out.
Keywords: braking; carbon; carbon frictional composite material; frictional heating; multi-disc brake; temperature.