In the automotive industry there is a persistently growing interest in replacing the current generation of brake discs made in gray iron with 45 - 60 % lighter aluminium. A typical ventilated brake disc for passenger cars weighs 5.4 kg, while the aluminium-based equivalent weighs about 2.5 kg and is designed to habe about a one third volume to achieve the equivalent mechanical properties. The expecting saving in weight would be about 10 - 12 kg. However, the main reason for introducing a lighter disc is not the weight reduction for improving fuel efficiency, but rather the reduction of inertial forces, increased acceleration and reduced braking distance. On the other hand, there is a target price the automotive industry is willing to pay for such a replacement and it is currently about 6 USD for a fully machined brake disc. For R/D teams dealing with replacing cast gray iron with lighter friction materials, this is one of the most important boundary condition they should respect. The main purpose of this paper is to identify some new material solutions brake disc designs suitable for achieving the target price.
Bimetal brake discs - economic benefits and opportunities for mass production
Bimetallbremsscheiben - wirtschaftliche Vorteile und Möglichkeiten zur Serienfertigung
Aluminium ; 79 , 1/2 ; 95-97
2003
3 Seiten, 1 Bild, 4 Tabellen, 11 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch