Abstract: A method using a commercial finite element tool to predict the squealing onset of friction systems is developed. It can be applied to carry out a complex eigenvalue analysis of friction systems including the friction force and boundary conditions. Main procedures to apply the method are proposed. The developed method can improve clearly the accuracy and effi-ciency for evaluating friction squeal. As an application, it is used to predict the propensity of a reciprocating sliding system generating squeal. A full scale model of a reciprocating sliding system is established and meshed, which includes the friction force and actual boundary conditions. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the motion equations of this model are obtained using the method developed. Of these eigenvalues, all image parts of the eigenvalues with positive real parts correspond to the vibration frequencies associated with possible squeal. The modeling analysis results show that the coefficient of friction and direction of friction sliding have a distinct influence on the occurrence of squeal. The friction system is characterized by mode merging when squeal occurs. In comparison with the vibration frequency acquired from the squeal test, it is found that the frequency predicted by the present method is in a good agreement with the test result.

Key words: Finite element, Friction, Noise, Squeal, Vibration