The truck clutch disc is a mechanical component with friction material on both sides. When squeezed between the pressure plate and the flywheel, it connects the engine to the transmission through a splined hub. There are three main types of clutches on the market today:
Organic clutches
Organic clutches are the most used type of clutch. They offer smooth engagement and long life under normal driving conditions. Organic clutches do not respond well to high rpm shifting and prolonged abuse. Generally, these are made of carbon and woven aramid or metal fibers.
Kevlar Clutches
Kevlar is a more aggressive friction material that still offers fairly smooth engagement. It will chatter at low speed and in reverse. Kevlar glazes easily in traffic and will slip until the glaze is worn off. Once a Kevlar clutch is overheated, it should be replaced.
Hybrid Organic
A hybrid clutch usually has full-face organic material on one side and a more aggressive segmented material on the other. These clutches offer smooth engagement and increased power handling.
Ceramic /Metallic/ Cera-metallic/ Carbon Composite
The engagement of these materials is more abrupt and may chatter, shudder, or have a stepped engagement. These clutches will wear flywheel surfaces faster, especially in traffic situations. They tend to come in “segmented” style discs.
Sintered Iron/Sintered Bronze/Sintered Metallic
Sintered clutches are the most aggressive clutch material. They have an on/off engagement. Mostly used in drag cars and other competitions, these clutches often require special flywheels. They come in “paddle” style discs and wear the clutch assembly and flywheel quickly.
The following chart gives some guidelines for clutch disc selection. Always refer to the clutch manufacturer’s specifications for power handling and use.
Taizhou Benwo Auto Parts Co., Ltd. A Clutch Cover supplier and Release Bearing Manufacturer from China. The company mainly sells Heavy Duty Truck Clutch series products and racing clutch kits.
