Centric Parts, North America’s leading manufacturer and supplier of aftermarket brake, clutch and chassis components, has announced the opening of a state-of-the-art Friction Materials Lab at the company’s Compton, Calif. facility.
The new Friction Materials Lab expands the company’s engineering department, and features a LINK Chase dynamometer as well as equipment to measure, mix, mold and cure friction materials. It is being led by Centric’s Director of Friction Materials Sciences, noted friction expert, Dr. Poh Wah Lee, PhD, the preeminent copper-free, asbestos-free friction researcher in the industry.
“With the new lab, all new friction formulations can be mixed, molded and cured on the spot,” according to Dr. Lee, “allowing us to run samples on our newest Chase dynamometer in a matter of hours. Along with our three existing Link brake dynamometers, the new Chase dyno and all of our on-car data recording equipment, the lab is allowing us to fully support continuous improvement to not only our whole range of friction materials, but to our full line of rotors and calipers as well.”
The opening of this new Friction Materials Lab will further enhance Centric’s industry-leading research and development program by expanding the company’s ability to rapidly and precisely analyze, manufacture and test the most advanced brake friction products.
“Centric Parts is committed to growing our internal research and development resources,” stated director of engineering, Steve Ruiz. “The addition of our new laboratory is another example of our desire to be at the forefront of friction material validation.”
