When a spacecraft enters the atmosphere of Earth, its outer shell must be able to withstand the high air friction that it encounters.
As a result of this necessity, both the shuttles and the capsules are fitted with heat shields that are able to withstand extreme temperatures.
Ceramic tiles such as these have been incorporated into the production of brake discs in the automotive industry.
Additionally, there is a point there where very high temperatures are routinely generated due to friction, and that point is the brakes.
What exactly are ceramic brakes?
When we talk about “ceramic,” we are typically referring to the dishes that are stored in the cabinet in the kitchen. Nevertheless, there is a significant demand for ceramic materials in the industry.
A special ceramic is used for brakes: A mixture of carbon fibers (the carbon) and silicon carbide (the ceramic) is ideal for absorbing high frictional forces.
Ceramic brakes, therefore, contain one or more components of this material. There are benefits to this, but there are also drawbacks.
A rotating element is brought into close contact with a lining carrier. Because of this process, frictional energy is produced, which acts as an opposing force to the drive energy.
However, friction produces a significant amount of heat, which can be problematic.
If the frictional heat approaches the melting point of the rotating element, that is, the disc or drum, the braking effect decreases significantly.
If the frictional heat approaches the melting point In the case of antiquated drum brakes, this could even result in the brakes completely failing.
Ceramic Brake Discs
“Due to the material properties of cast iron, brake discs have a tendency to rust quickly and heavily”. As a result, these modules rely on the self-cleaning effect that occurs naturally during normal driving.
As a non-metallic material, carbon ceramic is also completely immune to salt and corrosion.
The absence of an oxide film and the abrasion that results from rubbing against the corrosion layer contribute to the wear resistance of ceramic brake discs.
Heat dissipation is the biggest challenge
Because carbon ceramic brake discs no longer absorb heat, they further heat up the components of a brake system that are in close proximity to them.
This heat buildup can become so intense that the brake pipes and sensor cables need to be protected by specially developed insulation made of ceramic fiber.
After all, peak values of up to 1600 °C have already been measured in these modules.
Ceramic brake discs must also use linings that are designed specifically for use with ceramics. In general, switching from steel brake discs to ceramic brake discs is a much more difficult task than you might think it would be.
No bargain, not yet
Grey cast iron brake discs are first manufactured by die casting and then turned to size
Grey cast iron brake discs are first manufactured In the event that something goes wrong with the brake disc, it is merely re-cast. Therefore, there is hardly any actual loss of material during the manufacturing process.
Faulty carbon-ceramic disc brakes, on the other hand, cannot be remelted.
There is therefore almost no actual loss of material during the manufacturing process.
strong They are able to be crushed and used as aggregates in the construction industry. Waste and residual materials, as is typical in metal processing, are not used here.
This is one of the reasons why carbon ceramic brake discs are so expensive.
They are also not worth it for high-end vehicles in the mid-range price bracket. As a result, their standard installation is reserved for luxury sedans, supercars, professional racing cars, money haulers, and personal protection vehicles.
The carbon-ceramic brake, in addition to having excellent braking properties and an enormous amount of durability, is also incredibly lightweight.
In an electric vehicle, the driving range is directly proportional to the amount of weight that can be cut from the vehicle.
Brake discs made of carbon-ceramic material might help bring down overall weight. However, this is still just a pipe dream for the foreseeable future.
Reasonable use of carbon ceramic brake discs
Anyway, the use of ceramic components is justified for normal vehicles
Ceramic brake linings, on the other hand, are a sensible alternative to replacing gray cast iron discs with carbon ceramic components.
Ceramic brake linings are also available as accessories from reputable manufacturers.
Ceramic brake linings are They are installed in the same way that conventional ones are. Their use has several advantages, including the following:
– Greater wear resistance
– Less abrasion
– Less noise generation
– Better grip with wet brake disc
