Rethinking Friction: INNOVAMAT launches a new titanate portfolio backed by advanced testing capabilities

The friction material industry is at a pivotal moment. The combined pressures of vehicle electrification, stringent emissions standards like Euro 7, chemical regulations under REACH, and volatile supply chains have created a challenging landscape for formulators. Developing the next generation of brake pads—quiet, durable, clean, and cost-effective—requires not just better ingredients, but a smarter development process.

At INNOVAMAT, we understand these challenges intimately. That's why we are proud to announce our official entry into the friction market with a comprehensive portfolio of Fiber-free Titanates, designed to serve as ideal replacements for your current materials and to elevate the performance of your future formulations.

The critical role of titanate morphology

In any advanced NAO or Low-Met formulation, titanates are key players, influencing everything from NVH and comfort to wear resistance and emissions. Their effectiveness, however, is not just about their chemical composition. The size, shape, and structure of the titanate particles are critical factors that dictate how they form the all-important friction plateaus.

• Fine titanates: These particles are crucial for developing the secondary plateau, a stable, low-shear tribofilm at the pad-rotor interface composed of compacted wear fragments.

• Coarse platelet titanates: These larger particles can act as primary plateaus themselves, managing the initial contact pressure and contributing to the secondary plateau.

Understanding this dynamic is paramount when selecting a new titanate. Our portfolio is built on this expertise, offering controlled morphologies to achieve specific performance goals.

The INNOVAMAT Titanate Portfolio: A solution for every need

We have developed three distinct families of titanates to provide formulators with powerful, reliable, and cost-effective alternatives to established market product leaders.

1. KXT series: The lithium-free, high-performance workhorse

Concerns over the availability and price fluctuations of lithium are a major risk for formulators. Our KXT family is a compelling, lithium-free alternative that delivers equivalent performance without the supply chain headache.

Through a cost-effective manufacturing process that avoids expensive precursors, we can precisely control particle size to match the friction stability, wear resistance, and NVH characteristics of popular lithium-based titanates. As shown in performance testing based on VDA 285-1, our KXT grades (KXT10, KXT30, KXT50) demonstrate excellent and stable friction profiles in copper-free NAO formulas.

2. KMT series: The cost-effective platelet for enhanced durability

For applications demanding both performance and economic efficiency, our KMT (K/Mg Titanate) series is the ideal choice. These titanates possess a layered crystal structure that naturally forms a platelet morphology, simplifying the manufacturing process and significantly lowering production costs.

This inherent platelet shape makes KMT an attractive, environmentally friendly reinforcement that enhances brake pad durability and performance, making it a forward-looking choice for future brake technologies.

3. KLT series: The low-wear specialist

Engineered as a cutting-edge Potassium Lithium Titanate, our KLT is specifically designed with a platelet morphology and unique microstructure to be a premier alternative to products like Otsuka's Terracess L.

With a chemical composition and particle size distribution (Dv50 of 26.7 µm) precision-engineered for strength and longevity, KLT is the perfect choice for high-end formulations where minimizing wear is the primary objective.

More than a supplier: Your development partner

We believe that providing a superior material is only half the solution. The true challenge lies in integrating it into a formulation quickly and efficiently. To address this, we are opening our in-house characterization and testing capabilities to our customers.

Our RTEC MTF-5000 Brake Pad Screening Tribometer allows you to test our titanates within your own formulation matrix. This powerful tool provides reliable data that correlates strongly with full-scale dynamometer testing, allowing you to:

• Accelerate development: Quickly screen and validate candidates without waiting for lengthy and expensive dyno slots.

• De-risk your choice: Assess tribological properties and tribochemistry against any rotor counterpart, whether it's Grey Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, or advanced Coated Rotors.

• Reduce costs: Minimize the number of full-scale tests and shorten your time-to-market.

The future of friction is collaborative

INNOVAMAT is entering the market not just as a material supplier, but as a technical partner. With a versatile titanate portfolio designed for the next generation of braking and the expert testing capabilities to ensure your success, we are ready to help you solve your most pressing formulation challenges.

Ready to find the ideal titanate for your next project? Contact us today!