In this paper a 2D coupled thermal-stress finite element model is established and used to predict thermal phenomena at the disc-pad interface of a disc brake system. The importance of certain critical settings and parameters for the 2D FE model has been identified (such as, a limited degree of freedom for a brake pad in place of accepted practice that considers uniform contact), here a non-uniform pressure distribution resulting from friction bending moment effects due to the introduction of a pivot point. These parameters affect the distributions of both interface temperature and pressure. The simulation results show that when the interface conductance h is 10^6 W/m^2K or higher, the interface temperature distribution is no longer sensitive to friction bending moment effects. However, when h is 30000 W/m^2K or lower, the interface temperature distribution and heat partition ratio are significantly affected by the setting used for the rotational degree of freedom of the pad. The simulation results provide a useful reference for a better design of a disc brake system for different applications
