PROCESS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER USED FRICTION ELEMENTS MAY BE RETURNED TO SERVICE

摘要

A sorting process for used friction elements (20, 20a-d, 320) such as friction discs is provided, including determining whether the friction elements (20, 20a-d, 320) are heat compromised based at least in part on a wave scattering property of at least one frictionally interactive face (22) of each of the used friction elements (20, 20a-d, 320). Suitable friction elements (20, 320) may be sorted into an acceptable category, and unsuitable friction elements (20a-d) sorted into a scrap category. A method of assembling a machine system (90) such as a transmission (90) includes determining suitability of a friction element (20, 20a- d, 320) for service therein by measuring a wave scattering property such as reflectivity of at least one frictionally interactive face (22) of the friction element (20, 20a-d, 320), and coupling the friction element (20, 320) with the same or a different machine system for returning to service therein based at least in part on the determination of suitability.