In the transport sector, emissions due to abrasion of brakes, tires and road surfaces, the so-called “non-exhaust emissions”, are increasingly the subject of great interest from the scientific community and legislators.
Among the various activities carried out by the CNR-IIA on the subject, the VESTA project was recently launched, funded by the Lazio region and carried out in collaboration with the University of Cassino, for the development of more efficient methodologies for the determination of non-exhaust emissions.
To investigate brake abrasion in particular, the CNR IIA team has started a collaboration with Brembo, an international leader in the production and research and development of these materials. Tests were then conducted at Brembo's test benches, in order to generate emissions in conditions of high representativeness and reproducibility. Two different tablet formulations were tested.
During the experiments, the CNR IIA team carried out sampling of particulates and volatile organic compounds. The results will allow to update and consolidate the emission factors, and to understand the role of different materials and processes on the generation of pollutants.