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ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Heat Resistance Test

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ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Dimensional Change Tester | UnitedTest

ISO 6313 is a globally‑recognized standard test procedure for road vehicle brake linings, focused on evaluating heat‑triggered dimensional and form performance of disc brake pads. This integrated laboratory test performs two key measurements in one test cycle: dimensional changes of disc brake pads under varying temperature conditions, and heat transfer resistance of brake pads along the pressure‑loading direction.


Thermal deformation and heat conduction behaviour directly influence brake‑pad fit, braking stability and safety performance of road vehicles. Test data obtained from ISO 6313 offers critical reference for brake lining material formulation, new product development, incoming component inspection and production quality control in automotive brake manufacturing.


UnitedTest develops and manufactures high‑precision ISO 6313 compliant disc brake pad testing machines. Our test system accurately captures temperature‑related dimensional shift and heat transfer resistance parameters, supporting automotive R&D centres, brake component factories and third‑party testing laboratories.


Test Principle

The core principle simulates real braking thermal conditions by pressing the friction rubbing surface of a prepared brake pad against an electrically heated steel plate following a fixed temperature-time heating-cooling cycle.

Compressive contact pressure replicates the clamping force inside vehicle brake calipers;

Controlled heating generates high operating temperatures identical to heavy-duty braking;

High-precision displacement sensors continuously track thickness expansion/shrinkage of the pad during temperature rise and fall;

Embedded thermocouples record real-time temperatures of the heating plate, friction lining, and steel backing plate to evaluate how efficiently heat transfers through the pad assembly;

Post-cooling dimensional measurement captures permanent residual thermal deformation (irreversible swelling, warpage, shrinkage) after thermal cycling.

All dimensional changes and temperature data are correlated to quantify thermal dimensional stability and thermal insulation performance of friction materials. 


Test Specimen Requirements

Pad typeIntegral moulded or bonded disc brake pads
Backing plateSolid type
Max. depth≤ 80 mm
Max. width≤ 120 mm
Max. thickness≤ 20 mm
Quantity1 or 2 pads (depending on test rig design)
Specimen preparation
  • Select samples from stock.

  • Rub both sides with No. 120 grit emery paper to remove paint from the backing plate and make the friction surface smooth and even.

  • Clean out any friction material from locating holes in the backing plate.

  • For pads with a thin flexible anti-noise strip, prepare the strip the same way as the friction material.

  • Identify two reference points (per Figure 1) and measure pad thickness at these points to an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Their mean value is denoted dₘ.

  • Measure relevant lining outline dimensions (d_Ai).

  • Drill a 2 mm diameter hole into the side of the lining down to one reference point — parallel to the rubbing surface and 5 mm away from it — to house a sheathed thermocouple.

  • Drill a second 2 mm hole in the backing plate (parallel and same depth) for another thermocouple. This hole is omitted if the pad has an anti-noise strip.

  • If a lining exceeds 120 × 80 × 20 mm, cut or grind it down to size.

ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Heat Resistance Test


Test Equipment of ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Heat Resistance Test

Recommend UnitedTest UT1058-CSTE Brake lining compress strain & thermal expansion testing machine, fully meet ISO 6313 and mainly consist of: 

Main Heating Rig Assembly

Rigid electric heating steel plate: 80 mm height × 170 mm width × 40 mm thickness, capable of uniform surface heating up to 400 °C.

Clamping assembly components:

Clamping block fitted with a 48 mm diameter smooth-moving piston;

Calibrated coil springs to generate compressive load via piston deflection;

Adjustable screw nut to control spring compression and set contact force.

Intermediate thermal conductive plate (only for pads with anti-noise strips): 4 mm thick, 80×100 mm copper/steel plate placed between pad backing plate and clamping block for heat transfer testing.

ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Heat Resistance Test

Force Application SystemForce range: Adjustable clamping force from 20 N to 200 N; standard test contact surface pressure = 20 kPa (0.02 N/mm²) between pad rubbing surface and heating plate.
Temperature Measurement Equipment

Sheathed thermocouples: Three sets minimum:

Embedded inside heating plate (5 mm from contact surface, central hole) to record plate temperature;

Inside friction material drilled hole for lining temperature;

Inside backing plate / intermediate conductive plate central hole for back-side assembly temperature.

Displacement Measuring Devices

Dial gauge or inductive displacement transducers mounted on the clamping side to continuously track thickness deformation of the pad backing plate/intermediate plate with micron-level precision.

Optional XY plotter or data recorder for continuous real-time curve recording of temperature vs thickness change.


Key Test Parameters & Mandatory Stipulations

Heating rateHeating plate reaches 400°C within 10 ± 0.5 min
Special casesMay adopt >400°C and achieve it in <10 min for specific vehicle types
Pad surface pressureApprox. 20 kPa (0.02 N/mm²)
Clamping force range20 – 200 N
Data samplingRead at 25°C intervals between 50°C and final temperature (if not using a continuous recorder)
Temperature measurement pointsHeating plate, friction material, backing plate (or intermediate plate)
Thickness measurement accuracy0.01 mm
Number of thermal cyclesTwo (second cycle starts immediately when plate cools to 50°C, with no re-adjustment)
Cooling methodNatural cool-down, no forced air cooling

During the cooling period, the system must cool naturally — no cooling air may be blown onto the heater plate.

If a recorder is used, traces must be clearly identified so that changes in pad thickness, heater plate temp, pad temp, and backing plate temp can be unambiguously correlated.

When plotting results, the abscissa (x-axis) is controlled by the heater plate temperature.

Residual dimensional changes (Δdᵢ = d_Bi − d_Ai) must be calculated and reported.


Complete Standard Test Procedures of ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Heat Resistance Test

  • Mount the specimen: Place the prepared pad between the heating plate and the clamping block, with the friction surface facing the heating plate. Apply a surface pressure of ~20 kPa. For pads with anti-noise strips, insert the intermediate plate between the pad and the clamp.

  • Zero the instruments: Mount and zero the dial gauge(s) or displacement transducers.

  • First heating phase: Switch on the heating so that the plate reaches 400°C at the end of a 10-minute heating period. Continuously record:

    • Pad thickness variation

    • Heating plate temperature

    • Friction material temperature

    • Backing plate (or intermediate plate) temperature

  • First cooling phase: Once 400°C is reached, switch off the heat source. Allow natural cooling (no forced air). Record data during cool-down.

  • Second heating phase: As soon as the heating plate temperature falls to 50°C, switch the heat source back on and repeat the entire heating process. No re-adjustment of the setup is permitted at the start of this second cycle.

  • Final measurement: At the end of the test, after the system has cooled to room temperature, measure the relevant lining outline dimensions. These values are designated d_Bi.


Test Applications (Industry Fields)

Automotive braking industry — Qualification and quality control of disc brake pads for road vehicles

Friction material manufacturing — R&D and production validation of brake lining formulations

Brake system suppliers — Testing pads intended for specific vehicle types

Automotive safety & certification — Verifying that thermal dimensional changes will not cause brake malfunction

Drum brake linings may also make reference to this standard (though the standard notes that a dedicated extension for drum brakes is still to be prepared)

The test directly addresses whether a pad's thermal expansion and deformation could lead to brake sticking, uneven wear, or catastrophic failure, and whether the pad provides adequate thermal insulation to protect the caliper and hydraulic fluid from excessive heat.


Related Standards: 

ISO 6313

Road vehicles; Brake linings; Effects of heat on dimensions and form of disc brake pads; Test procedure

GB/T 22310

Road vehicles—Brake linings—Effects of heat on dimensions and form of disc brake pads test method

SAE J160Swell, Growth, and Dimensional Stability of Friction Materials and Noise Insulators when Exposed to Elevated Temperatures — referenced by ISO 6313
SAE J2581Thermal Transport Properties Germane to Friction Materials and Brakes — referenced by ISO 6313
ISO 6310

Compressive strain and thermal swell test for brake pads;

measures combined compressibility and thermal dimensional growth under load-temperature cycles, overlapping thermal stability evaluation scope with ISO 6313 but with different rig geometry and test loading logic.

ISO 6312Shear strength of full disc brake pad assemblies (bonds friction material to backing plate; post-ISO 6313 thermal test destructive validation).
ISO 15484Brake lining product quality assurance standard; lists ISO 6313 as a mandatory thermal stability test for friction material qualification reports
JIS D4413Automotive parts -- Brake linings and brake pads -- Compressive strain test method


Keywords: ISO 6313 disc brake pad test, ISO 6313 brake lining tester, disc brake pad thermal dimensional change test, road vehicle brake linings heat effect test, brake pad heat transfer resistance measurement, automotive brake component thermal performance tester, ISO 6313 test procedure for disc brake pads, brake lining dimensional change under temperature tester, disc brake pad heat transfer resistance test equipment, UnitedTest ISO 6313 brake pad testing machine, automotive brake lab thermal deformation test for brake lining

Related products and device

ISO 6313 Brake lining thermal expansion testing machine

Professional Brake Lining Compress Strain & Thermal Expansion Testing Machine by UnitedTest. Compliant with ISO 6310 & ISO 6313. Measure compressive strain, thermal swell and heat conduction of disc/drum brake pads and friction materials.

Related Standard

ISO 6310 Compressive Strain Test for Brake Linings

ISO 6310 Road vehicles - Brake linings - Compressive strain test methods

ISO 6310 defines unified lab testing procedures to measure compressibility, compressive strain, thermal swell, permanent thermal growth, and heat transfer performance of brake linings under mechanical compression at ambient and high temperatures (400 °C). Two distinct test methods (Method A & B) are specified for different sample types: raw friction material coupons, air brake pads, commercial vehicle linings, and complete hydraulic passenger car disc brake pad assemblies. Unlike ISO 6313 which focuses on passive heat-induced dimensional deformation without heavy mechanical load, ISO 6310 evaluates thickness deformation under simulated brake caliper compression force combined with thermal exposure, replicating real braking load-heat combined working conditions. 

FAQ: ISO 6313 Disc Brake Pad Thermal Test

ISO 6313 Test Machine | Disc Brake Pad Thermal Dimensional Stability Tester – UnitedTest


UnitedTest is a leading manufacturer of ISO 6313:1980 compliant test rigs for road vehicle disc brake pads. Our brake lining heat deformation tester accurately measures thermal dimensional variation and heat transfer resistance of friction materials under standard 400°C heating-cooling cycles. Designed for automotive brake factories, third-party labs and OEM R&D centers, the machine supports single/dual sample testing, meets ISO 6313 mandatory parameters, and outputs standardized test reports for global brake pad certification (ECE R90, ISO 15484). Custom fixtures for anti-noise strip brake pads, 0.001 mm precision displacement measurement, full global after-sales service provided.


Q1: What is ISO 6313 test, and what does it measure?

A1: ISO 6313 is an international lab test standard for road vehicle disc brake pads, titled Road vehicles - Brake linings - Effects of heat on dimensions and form of disc brake pads - Test procedure. It is a combined thermal stability test that measures two core properties:

Thermal dimensional changes (thickness expansion/shrinkage, permanent residual deformation of lining outline) under controlled heating-cooling cycles up to 400°C;

Heat transfer resistance of full brake pad assemblies (friction material + steel backing plate + anti-noise shims if fitted) under standard clamping pressure.

It simulates high-temperature braking conditions to evaluate thermal deformation risks of friction materials.


Q2: Why is ISO 6313 test critical for brake pad friction materials?

A2: This test is mandatory for automotive brake safety and product quality for 6 key reasons:

Avoid brake drag & premature rotor wear: Excessive thermal expansion of pads reduces caliper running clearance, causing constant drag during driving;

Prevent irreversible thermal failure: Permanent residual deformation after thermal cycles leads to uneven pad-disc contact, brake judder, squeal noise, and uneven wear;

Evaluate heat insulation performance: Poor heat transfer resistance lets high heat penetrate backing plates, boiling brake fluid and triggering total brake failure;

Standardize global material comparison: Unified test rules eliminate inconsistent lab data for cross-border OEM & aftermarket brake pad certification;

Support regulatory compliance: ISO 15484 brake lining quality standard requires ISO 6313 test data for product datasheets to meet ECE R90 auto safety rules;

Guide material R&D: Identifies defective friction formulations prone to thermal swelling, cracking, blistering or delamination under heat shock.


Q3: What brake pad samples are eligible for ISO 6313 testing?

A3: Only solid-backing disc brake pads for road vehicles meeting size limits: Max depth 80 mm, max width 120 mm, max thickness 20 mm. Both integral moulded and bonded friction linings are covered. Oversized pads must be cut/ground down to the standard dimension before testing. Drum brake linings are not covered by ISO 6313 (no dedicated standard released yet).


Q4: Can one test rig run two brake pads simultaneously for ISO 6313 test?

A4: Yes. ISO 6313 allows test rig designs to hold 1 or 2 disc brake pads at the same time, as long as heating uniformity, clamping pressure and measurement precision meet standard requirements. UnitedTest’s ISO 6313 thermal dimensional tester supports dual-sample testing to boost lab efficiency.


Q5: Can I skip drilling thermocouple holes for pads with anti-noise strips?

A5: Yes. For pads equipped with flexible anti-noise shims, the thermocouple hole on the backing plate can be omitted. A 4 mm thick intermediate thermal conductive plate is inserted between pad and clamping block to collect heat transfer temperature data instead.


Q6: Can I test at temperatures higher than 400°C per ISO 6313?

A6: Yes, as a special vehicle-specific adjustment. The standard notes that for customized testing matching a specific vehicle model’s heavy braking conditions, the target plate temperature can exceed 400°C and the heating time can be shorter than 10 minutes, but this deviation must be clearly recorded in the final test report.


Q7: What visual defects need to be inspected and documented post ISO 6313 test?

A7: The standard requires full visual inspection of the pad surface after thermal cycling, record all abnormal conditions: friction material cracks, bubble formation, surface peeling, chipping, and separation between friction lining and steel backing plate. These defects reflect thermal degradation risks of the brake pad material.


Q8: Does UnitedTest manufacture ISO 6313 compliant test machines?

A8: Yes. UnitedTest is a professional manufacturer of ISO 6313 disc brake pad thermal dimensional stability test rigs. Our machines fully comply with all clauses of ISO 6313:1980, with customized options for dual-sample testing, high-precision inductive displacement sensors, automatic data logging, and built-in thermocouple multi-channel temperature monitoring.


Q9: What advantages does UnitedTest’s ISO 6313 test machine have vs generic test rigs?

A9: Strictly matched ISO 6313 heating plate size (80×170×40 mm) with stable ±0.5°C temperature control;

Precise 20–200 N stepless loading system to maintain constant 20 kPa standard pressure;

0.001 mm high-precision displacement measurement for accurate thermal expansion data;

Automatic cycle control (two heating-cooling loops) without manual operation;

Built-in reporting software that auto-generates ISO-standard test reports with residual deformation calculation;

Optional intermediate thermal plate fixture for testing pads with anti-noise shims.


Q10: Why Choose UnitedTest as Your ISO 6313 Test Machine Manufacturer?

A10: UnitedTest is a professional Manufacturer of ISO 6313 Brake Pad Thermal Dimensional Stability Test Machine

As a trusted global supplier of automotive friction material testing equipment, UnitedTest specializes in designing, manufacturing and exporting full ISO standard brake lining test rigs, with our flagship ISO 6313 test machine widely adopted by brake pad manufacturers, automotive OEM laboratories and third-party certification testing institutes worldwide.

Our ISO 6313 thermal dimensional tester strictly follows all technical requirements of ISO 6313:1980 Road vehicles - Brake linings - Effects of heat on dimensions and form of disc brake pads - Test procedure, dedicated to evaluating two critical performance indicators of disc brake pads: thermal dimensional stability (thickness expansion, permanent residual deformation of lining outline) and overall pad heat transfer resistance under simulated high-temperature braking load.


Our Machine Key Standard Compliance & Machine Highlights

Full ISO 6313 Standard Matching: Standard size electric heating steel plate, 10-min ramp to 400°C temperature control, 20–200 N adjustable clamping force to achieve 20 kPa standard contact pressure, multi-channel sheathed thermocouple temperature monitoring system as required by ISO 6313 Clause 5.

High Precision Testing Performance: Equipped with inductive displacement transducers with 0.001 mm resolution to capture tiny thermal thickness changes; automatic two-cycle heating-cooling program eliminates human operation error; built-in calculation module auto computes residual deformation Δdi per ISO 6313 Clause 7.

Universal Test Fixture Design: Support standard disc brake pads within 80 mm depth ×120 mm width ×20 mm thickness; matched intermediate thermal conductive plate accessory for testing brake pads fitted with anti-noise shims; optional dual-sample test station to double lab testing throughput.

Complete Data & Reporting System: Integrated XY data recorder to plot temperature vs thickness change curves; built-in test report template fully matching ISO 6313 Clause 8 reporting requirements, covering pad specifications, max thermal expansion, residual dimensional shift, post-test visual defect records and multi-point temperature data.

Global Industry Application: Our ISO 6313 test equipment serves passenger car, commercial vehicle and aftermarket brake pad production quality control, friction material formulation R&D, and international automotive safety certification (ECE R90, ISO 15484, SAE J160 equivalent testing).


Factory direct supply: Independent R&D workshop, stable production capacity, competitive factory price without middleman markup;

Customization service: Custom heating temperature range, single/dual sample layout, fixture modification for special brake pad sizes;

Full after-sales global support: Overseas installation guidance, equipment operation training, annual precision calibration service, long-term spare parts supply;

Wide compatibility: Matches other ISO brake lining test machines (ISO 6310 compressibility tester, ISO 6312 shear strength tester) for full friction material lab solution one-stop supply.

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