Frequently Asked Questions About Tribco
and its 100% KEVLAR® fiber composite brake and clutch lining
Who is Tribco?
What is unique about Tribco?
Why is Tribco's friction material superior?
Key benefits of Tribco's friction lining
How are Tribco products used?
Does Tribco's lining cost more?
How to get more information
Who is Tribco?
Tribco is a small high technology company that produces
the world's most advanced friction products for brakes, clutches and other
industrial applications.
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Tribco was launched in
1981 with a single purpose: Use space-age technology to solve the world's
friction-lining problems. From a bootstrap start-up, Tribco has grown
into a company whose friction products now solve thousands of friction
problems—and can solve those confronting your customers. In fact,
the marketplace's widespread acceptance of Tribco's friction products
proves just how well those products perform! Today, Tribco's friction
products are manufactured at its engineering, production and office complex
in Cleveland.
What is Unique About Tribco?
Tribco is the developer and exclusive manufacturer of
the world's first 100% KEVLAR® fiber textile composite
friction material. Tribco markets the material under the name Braketex®
when it is used for brake applications and Clutchtex®
in clutch applications but it is the same lining in both instances.
Why is Tribco's Friction Material Superior?
Simply put, it is the world's first friction material
that utilizes long KEVLAR® fibers in 100% levels. KEVLAR®
is a man-made fiber that offers an incredible combination of high strength,
nonabrasiveness as well as resistance to heat and tearing. That's why
KEVLAR® is used in demanding applications as varied as
bulletproof vests, army helmets, boat hulls, radial tire belting and composite
aircraft.
Other companies have tried to use KEVLAR®
in friction materials but could not break away from traditional manufacturing
techniques such as molding. But the only way they can mold KEVLAR®
is to grind it into a pulp—unfortunately, molding severely
limits how much KEVLAR® they can use. Additionally, grinding
up KEVLAR® reduces its strength, wear resistance and tolerance
to heat.
Recognizing these problems, Tribco set out to find a
new way of making friction material. The result was a revolutionary textile
sheet-making process that utilizes long KEVLAR® fibers
in 100% levels.
But there is more to the story. Tribco also found a
new polymer resin that the U. S. space agency NASA developed for heat
resistance on reentry vehicles. Tribco then developed a process to use
this high temperature resin as a binder in its friction material. This
is a major breakthrough because the resin, a polyimide resin, has much
higher heat resistance than the phenolic resins used in standard friction
facings.
In short, Tribco offers the world's most advanced friction
material—a material that results from a patented high-technology
manufacturing process. So while other companies are still tied to 19th
Century molding methods, Tribco is using space-age technology to help
you solve customer problems and increase sales.
Key Benefits of Tribco's Friction Lining
Braketex and Clutchtex
offer your customers the following major benefits:
- Tribco's friction facing lasts at least three to
five times longer than asbestos, sintered bronze, molded graphitics
and other original equipment facings. Some customers report Tribco's
lining lasts up to 10 times longer than other linings.
- It will not abrade, scratch or score the opposing
metal surface. Even water-cooled copper drums last up to four times
longer. You will spend less money replacing or resurfacing rotors, drums
or flywheels.
- It also engages far more smoothly and more quietly than
other friction facings. Consequently, it will reduce potentially damaging
stress in vehicle or machine drive trains and other power transmission
applications.
- It contains NO asbestos or other harmful ingredients.
- Finally, Braketex and Clutchtex
deliver high coefficients of friction and higher load-carrying torque
in heavy duty and high performance applications or increased torque
at lower air pressure.
How are Tribco Products Used?
You'll find Tribco friction products in vehicles, plants,
factories, businesses and even homes all over the United States, Canada
and around the world.
In fact, Tribco's 100% KEVLAR® fiber
composite lining is used in numerous agricultural, metalforming, papermaking,
material handling, marine, defense, mining, drilling, transportation and
general manufacturing applications. Sample applications include clutches
found in thousands of trucks and cars; brakes, clutches and PTO's in tractors,
bulldozers and other off-road vehicles; brake/clutch plates in metal stamping
presses, forging presses and forming machines; brakes on winders, rollstands
and paper machine drives in paper mills as well as scores of cranes, winches
and hoists in factories and facilities of all sizes and types. The only
exception: Our lining is NOT available for consumer highway brake applications.
Contact us regarding possible commercial highway brake applications.
Does Tribco's Lining Cost More?
Yes. It costs more because KEVLAR® —
the only friction material in Braketex and Clutchtex
— is expensive. Our special manufacturing process is also very
costly but enables us to fully exploit the instrinsic strengths of KEVLAR®
fibers. The result? A friction material that is more expensive initially
but saves you money in the long run through longer wear life, lower maintenance
costs and less unscheduled downtime.
Remember that the initial price is NOT the real cost
of a product. For example, you may be tired of constantly replacing inferior
brake pads, clutch facings or other friction components—or tired
of paying for damage to the opposing metal surface, putting up with machine
or vehicle failures, unscheduled downtime and other problems. If that
is you, Tribco's unique friction facing may be ideal for you because the
life cycle cost will be lower.
If you are a reseller or original equipment manufacturer,
you will have a better product for your customers and prospects—which
will help you win market share from competitors who are still selling
outmoded conventional friction facings. And, as you well know, you don't
win friends and retain customers by selling them cheap products that wear
out quickly. Whether you are an end user, supplier or manufacturer, Braketex
and Clutchtex can give you a competitive edge!
How to Get More Information
When you need help or more information, call 216.486.2000
in the United States and ask for sales. You
can e-mail us at sales@tribco.com.
Additionally, we are available weekdays from 8 AM to
5:30 PM U. S. Eastern time to answer your questions. Thank you!
Developed and manufactured exclusively by:
Tribco, Inc.
1700 London Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44112, USA
Phone Sales at 216.486.2000 or fax 216.486.2099
E-mail sales@tribco.com
Not available for consumer highway
brake applications
We stock replacement parts for original equipment applications.
We will also reline any metal shoe or plate or will fabricate to order.
Braketex® and Clutchtex®
are registered trademarks of Tribco, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
No warranty or implied liability assumed herein. Patented. ©2001
Tribco, Inc. All rights reserved.
Our lining is made with DuPont™ KEVLAR® brand fiber.
DuPont™ and KEVLAR® are trademarks or registered trademarks of
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
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