Federal-Mogul Motorparts has expanded its range of Abex Reduced Stopping Distance (RSD) certified commercial-grade friction linings. The line now includes a new lining that exceeds both the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 121) RSD requirement and OE brake manufacturer standard for 23,000-lb tractor applications.

In testing conducted by an ISO-certified facility, using a tractor equipped with a 23,000-lb drive axle and 14,600-lb steer axle, the Abex RX 6297 lining delivered under loaded conditions a stopping distance of just 217 ft from 60 mph, beating both the FMVSS 121 RSD standard and OE requirement of 250 and 225 ft respectively. The copper-free, crack-resistant lining is engineered to help maintain like-new braking performance while experiencing minimal swell and growth and offering excellent lining and drum wear, the maker says.

The Abex brand also offers independently validated, RSD-certified linings for 20,000-lb tractor applications.

Phase 1 of the FMVSS 121 RSD standard, which went into effect in August 2011, requires a loaded class 8 tandem-axle tractor of 59,600 lb GVWR or less to stop from 60 mph within 250 ft. The previous standard was 355 ft.

Phase 2, effective August 2013, expanded the 250-ft stopping distance requirement to all tandem-axle tractors as well as certain three- and four-axle vehicles. Additionally, three-axle tractors above 70,000-lb GVRW and four-axle vehicles of 85,001 lb and above must stop from 60 mph within 310 ft.