This paper presents a transient heat transfer analysis of a drum brake shape. The transient heat transfer analysis of automotive drum brakes with frictional contact is performed by using the finite element method. The drum brake type studied in the page is the internally expanding one in which two shoes fitted externally with frictional material are forced outward against surface a rotating drum on the wheel unit. In this case, the braking power is produced by the friction force between a drum and a lining, and is converted into heat. The brake drum has constant material properties. The air inside the drum has temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and enthalpy. Radiation effects are ignored. The result explains the reason why hair crack and cause of drum failure occur. The temperature of drum is in proportion to the drum thickness and nonlinear changes at every points of drum. It's necessary for the decrease of the drum temperature to make the air inside drum flow.
