SQuiT-man Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 I have decided to make my A-level physics project be an experimental test to investigate the differing properties of brakepads for use in the Magura, both with official Magura brakepads and after-market pads.The problem is that I need to gather as many test-subjects as possible (and obviously at as little cost as possible- I'm not suppoosed to personally spend money on the project, although In some cases I will be willing to pay for postage).I have emailed some of the major companies that I would consider have solid rider-company communications, and I am currently awaiting responses, but does anyone have any more ideas I should consider, about who to contact, or how to aquire brakepads for testing?P.s. If anyone on here feels willing to send me some pads that they have stopped using, didn't get along with, broken/breaking pads (where the pad material can still be cut-down to give a flat surface for use in the experiment), or just spares, PLEASE get in contact with me! I would be eternally grateful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsriderjim Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 im my tool box got loads of pads you can have for free some worn really bad some broke etc add me to msn and i will have a look for you trialsriderjim@hotmail.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SQuiT-man Posted February 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Thanks a lot gregtria,Does anybody else have any ideas to help me?Cheers,Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexymike Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 i can send u some Majic pads to try out, add me to msn and we can talkSexyfish88@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaRtZ Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 I can send you some koolstops but they're covered in tar. Still good though Possibly have some standard blacks too PM if you're interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Harrison Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 I'm doing a project too. Can someone send me some Koxx greens to try out, preferably brand new? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCOTTY___ Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Hey i have some old RimJam pads... There the ones in the white backings and with the blue material!!Free on course Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilky_mod_legend2 Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 i have some heat sink, and some rim jams and old kool stops kicking about i shud have, add me and we will have words.WILCOX93@hotmail.comCheerswilky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogre Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 I'm doing a project too. Can someone send me some Koxx greens to try out, preferably brand new?Me to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SQuiT-man Posted February 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Thanks for all the support guys, looks like it should be a pretty cool project I'm doing a project too. Can someone send me some Koxx greens to try out, preferably brand new?Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 i can send u some Majic pads to try outI could try some out too you know. Or if anybody has some koxx browns knocking about (for cash ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walleee Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 What exactley are you going to do with them?Not trying to catch you out or anything I am genuinely interested but I can see that being a hard project, the sorta thing you could work your balls off on, and produce a great report, but just make sure it's exactley what the exam board are looking for, not just something you like alot.What's your hypothesis?(im nearly sure that's the word) Like a statement which you will prove or disprove through investigation/Calculations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durkie Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 What exactley are you going to do with them?Not trying to catch you out or anything I am genuinely interested but I can see that being a hard project, the sorta thing you could work your balls off on, and produce a great report, but just make sure it's exactley what the exam board are looking for, not just something you like alot.What's your hypothesis?(im nearly sure that's the word) Like a statement which you will prove or disprove through investigation/Calculations.yeah, this is a huge deal. what are testing? wear behavior? hardness? let's say you're testing grip. how are you quantifying it? what are you going to attribute diferences to? how can you test that?maybe you should buy some polyurethane sheeting, of the same compound but in different colors, and see how that affects grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SQuiT-man Posted February 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 I got another 3 weeks before I start the final experiment, which will take about 3 weeks.I'm currently making a 25kg flywheel, with the brake surface being a DX32 rim, which I will accellerate up to a certain speed, so that it has constant momentum throughout all of the tests. I have constucted an attatchment to a force-measuring device to allow me to apply a force to the (smooth) rim at a constant force of 1 Newton perpendicular to the surface, and will basically measure the time taken for each pad to stop the rim (it takes a surprisingly long time, so the variables are large enough to reduce human error significantly). Ive got loads of time left so will probably enhance the experiment quite a lot, perhaps using a ground rim surface aswell for a second set of results on pad designed for a grind, but that is my trials experiement so far, simplified. From these results I'm going to be making further calculations, blah blah.What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walleee Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 That will show you which is best at it's intended purpose, but without actually knowing the material your working with specifically, how are you going to be able to compare your results with published value's to establish the legitamacy of your work?What im saying is that there are loads of pads out there, they probobly come under the same name, but their chemical composition is going to differ in some way otherwise they'd all be the same. Pad manufacturer's don't publish detail's about the compounds they are using....Also, how are you going to attach the flywheel to the rim and then both onto a hub? Keep in mind that there is going to be frictional forces at the bearing's, nothing to worry about but worth mentioning.You know, you could do away with the flywheel and just use a variable speed drill with a fixture to catch the spokes, once youve reached top speed, lift the drill out of the way and drop the pads on the rim. I assume you have some sort of jig in mind for actually holding the pads and applying the 1N force? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SQuiT-man Posted February 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 That will show you which is best at it's intended purpose, but without actually knowing the material your working with specifically, how are you going to be able to compare your results with published value's to establish the legitamacy of your work?What im saying is that there are loads of pads out there, they probobly come under the same name, but their chemical composition is going to differ in some way otherwise they'd all be the same. Pad manufacturer's don't publish detail's about the compounds they are using....I don't really understand what you are getting at, I am not doing anything regarding the chemical composition of the different rubbers, just their evident performance- it is for Physics. I guess if there are any similarly composed rubbers in the pads I use, it should (hopefully) show in the result.The project doesnt just involve the pad material either, it also involves the area of material in contact with the rim.Also, how are you going to attach the flywheel to the rim and then both onto a hub? Keep in mind that there is going to be frictional forces at the bearing's, nothing to worry about but worth mentioning.This is easy, could be done a number of ways, even just building the flywheel around an already-built wheel. The frictional forces will be almost inaplicable to the other forces present, due to the pure amount of momentum the flywheel will have. Besides, the friction will be constant throughout all the experiments, so can be ignored- it will still show relative performances.You know, you could do away with the flywheel and just use a variable speed drill with a fixture to catch the spokes, once youve reached top speed, lift the drill out of the way and drop the pads on the rim. I assume you have some sort of jig in mind for actually holding the pads and applying the 1N force?I could do, but there are many ways of doing it with the same result.And yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walleee Posted February 9, 2006 Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 I don't really understand what you are getting at, I am not doing anything regarding the chemical composition of the different rubbers, just their evident performance- it is for Physics. I guess if there are any similarly composed rubbers in the pads I use, it should (hopefully) show in the result.The project doesnt just involve the pad material either, it also involves the area of material in contact with the rim.Ok, so your going to perform an experiment, and measure the time it takes for the pad's to stop the rim. With that you'll get a table of result's or something like it with a number of differant pad types along with their respective stopping times. You'll be able to determine with that which is best at stopping of course, but with regard to a physics experiment, especially at A-level, (that's what your at isn't it?) your going to need to have some calculations in there. I suppose you could work out the co-efficient of friction of the pad, but that's difficult without knowing the COF for the rim itself. Perhaps it's the experimental technique that's being assesed, I dont know, but if you have to write the experiment up your going to need some calculations to back your findings.With regard to the chemical composition of the pad's, that has a direct impact on their performance in terms of stopping power.This is easy, could be done a number of ways, even just building the flywheel around an already-built wheel. The frictional forces will be almost inaplicable to the other forces present, due to the pure amount of momentum the flywheel will have. Besides, the friction will be constant throughout all the experiments, so can be ignored- it will still show relative performances.Do mention the fact that it is present but negligable, proper experimental technique I could do, but there are many ways of doing it with the same result.And yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SQuiT-man Posted February 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2006 (edited) Cheers for the comments Jake, I will of course be mentioning little assumptions like that in my write-up.The co-efficient of friction between the braking surface and brakepad can easily be calculated, as you know R as 1N and can calculate F, so it can be put into the equation F= mu x R. I'll probably go a bit further into it by involving surface areas of pads, etc, too.I won't be involving the chemical composition though, it is Physics afterall, not chemistry! Besides, without writing off to each manufacturer/facory the pads were making, travelling halfway across the world, or using insanely expensive equipment, how am I meant to find this out for such a number of pads? Cheers again,Scott Edited February 9, 2006 by SQuiT-man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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