Groovy Wet Clutch Discs

[MolaKule]

In Automatic Transmissions, grooves are either machined or molded into the friction material of the wet clutch disk to improve the performance of the wet clutch pack.

What three primary performance enhancements do these grooves provide?

This question is open to all, but lets give it a day or two for non-engineering BITOG members to research the question and respond before the engineers answer.

 

[joegreen]

1. Clutches apply quicker as oil can escape easier.
2. Grooves help keep clutches cooler.
3. Groves help prevent clutch chatter

 

[jurko]

It's helping to move the oil so the clutch keeps cooler.

 

[MolaKule]

Thanks for all who responded and most answers were spot on.


Grooves are either machined or molded into the friction material to improve the performance of a wet clutch by enhancing:

1) fluid flow rate,

2) providing a means for better dissipation of heat during engagement/disengagement,

3) improve friction and wear characteristics as well as durability.

 

[Motu]

They are there to replicate the original wet clutch discs...as used in motorcycles long before automatic transmissions were invented. Originally they were round corks pushed through the disc and then surfaced smooth. Then they became shaped segments pressed into the plate, which had appropriately shaped holes for the cork inserts. Then came the solid disc with lining material bonded on...and they were cut to look like segments...because the original separate segments had advantages a smooth plate didn't.