Abstract: The mechanical and t ribological properties of carbon/ silicon carbide ( C/ SiC) brake materials were compared with those of carbon/ carbon (C/ C) ones. The result s show that the mechanical properties of C/ SiC brake
materials are higher than those of C/ C , and C/ SiC brake materials have overcome the disadvantages of C/ C such as low static f riction coefficient and insufficient stability of f riction coefficient caused by humidity. Therefore , C/ SiC is a new type of high performance brake materials. By analyzing the serving environmental characteristic of C/ C aircraf t braking materials , the optimizing design methods on the mechanical , thermo2physical properties , f riction and wear properties , materials st ructure and manufacture process of C/ SiC brake materials were discussed. It lays afoundation for realizing the co 2 design among materials?microst ructure , mechanical properties , f riction and wear properties.