Method of attaching a friction lining to a reinforcing cup

A method of manufacturing a brake pad assembly comprising the steps of:

• placing a powder mixture of friction composition in a die;
• compacting the powder mixture to form a preformed friction material;
• conveying said preformed material through a furnace having a predetermined temperature to sinter said powder mixture;
• removing said sintered preformed friction material from said furnace;
• placing said sintered preformed friction material in a reinforcing cup;
• rapidly heating said reinforcing cup to a predetermined temperature;
• transferring the heated cup and sintered friction material to a press before significant thermal conduction takes place between said heated cup and said sintered friction material and
• striking said sintered friction material and said heated cup with a single compressive blow to provide said friction material with a predetermined density and to establish a weld along the entire interface of said friction material and said retainer cup to produce said brake lining assembly.