Citation

Wilson D, Kenik E, Blau P. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2006; 16(5): 48-52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The long-haul trucking industry has been experiencing extensive corrosion of its equipment in recent years. While this corrosion affects many parts of the tractor-trailer rig, one of the greatest concerns is that associated with brakes and specifically, what has been termed "Rust Jacking." This mechanism involves the corrosion of the brake shoe table, which results in the buildup of corrosion products between it and the brake lining to which it is riveted. This accumulation of corrosion products causes the brake lining to crack. Should this cracking be found during state/federal department of transportation inspection, the fleet company will be cited. In recent years, the frequency of this type of brake failure has doubled, coincidentally with the use of increasingly more complex mixtures of anti-icing and deicing compounds. While brake failure is reported to have increased, it is unclear how the new exposure factors contribute to the failure mode and rate. This paper, through optical and scanning electron microscopy examination of a recently failed brake shoe table assembly, investigates the nature of the corrosion damage leading to failure. Findings are discussed.