Method of vibration-molding friction member

A vibration molding method in which a desired specific gravity and related porosity are achieved in a molded friction member, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. accommodating materials forming the molded friction member in a heated mold in a press, the materials including a binder selected from the group consisting of rubber and resin;
• b. increasing and relaxing pressure on the materials in the mold a predetermined plural number of times less than ten, the pressure at which relaxation begins being a predetermined rated pressure less than about 500 kg/cm.sup.2 and a rate of increase of pressure being less than about 100 kg/cm.sup.2 /sec;
• c. vibrating the mold while the pressure is increasing to the rated pressure, the vibrations having a predetermined frequency between about 10 and 20 hertz and amplitudes having a maximum less than about one millimeter to achieve the desired specific gravity and related porosity;
• and
• d. after final relaxation in step b., applying without vibration the rated pressure to the materials in the heated mold for a predetermined period of time less than about two minutes.