OICC Press Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics 2251-7235 19 3 2025 06 30 Optimizing gliding arc plasma treatment factors for enhanced brake pad performance: Central composite design approach 10.57647/j.jtap.2025.1903.30 EN Ali Partovinia Biorefinery Department, Faculty of New Technologies Engineering, Zirab campus, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Mollaei Research and development expert, Remapuya Company, Tehran, Iran Saeed Javadi Anaghizi Central Laboratory of Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Hamid Ghomi Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 06 30   Brake pad quality is crucial for vehicle safety, as it requires stable friction coefficients, appropriate wear rates, and consistent performance across varying temperatures, pressures, and speeds. This study examines the impact of gliding arc plasma treatment on tribological properties and wear behavior of the brake pads. In this research, three key parameters of treatment time (60-180 s), treatment distance (2-4 cm), and input power (1.5-4.5 kW) were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the quadratic model revealed that gliding arc plasma treatment duration significantly influenced normal and hot friction levels. At the same time, interactions between time-distance and time-input power affected normal and hot friction, respectively. The optimal conditions were achieved at 180 seconds of treatment time, 3.77 cm distance, and 4.20 kW power. Linear model analysis of wear indicated that input power was the only statistically significant main factor. These findings demonstrate that gliding arc plasma treatment parameters not only individually influence tribological behavior but also interact synergistically, offering valuable insights for industrial brake pad manufacturing.