Modern cars are equipped with a large number of electronic systems, without which it will not be possible to comfortably control the car. In addition to electronics, manufacturers are also introducing new components into the design that are lightweight, have a long service life and impressive technical characteristics. One of these components is perforated brake discs. Let's look at how they differ from ordinary ones and why car owners love them so much.
Tuning or effective braking?
All motorists have encountered this product. Someone saw these products on a racetrack, someone - on a neighbor’s car, in shops or tuning salons. They are advertised in automobile magazines and on online sites. Perforated brake discs are highly efficient. At least that's what manufacturers say about them. And yet, without a drop of doubt, this is an excellent opportunity to improve the appearance of the car.
The appearance of the car is relevant for racing athletes and just motorists who actively work with the brake and gas pedals. Also, anyone who appreciates peace on the roadway should think about this acquisition. This is a welcome product for customers, as well as a great opportunity to upgrade the brake system. In general, it all depends on the driving style and preferences - someone wants to increase the efficiency of the brake system, and someone will install perforated brake discs and just demonstrate the appearance.
The whole point in temperature
The brake disc in the system is designed to provide a frictional friction surface for the pads. The process of speed reduction is kinetic energy, which is converted into heat. The friction that the pads create causes a rise in temperature, and the car stops. The basic principle in this case is the process of friction converts the energy of motion into high temperatures. The amount of heat that is created in the disk is highly dependent on speed, as well as on the mass of the car. The temperature is also affected by how actively the driver presses the pedal.
A normal braking process at a speed of 80 km / h can increase the heating of the front disc to 95 degrees. If there are several cycles of acceleration and speed reduction and they will often alternate, then the temperature of the metal will rise to 300 or even 400 degrees. If the growth of this parameter will continue further, then the efficiency of the system decreases. You can stay completely without brakes, which is quite dangerous. They will disappear when there is too much heat and the system is no longer able to relieve pressure.
As a result, you will have to push the pedal with great effort for efficiency. As a result, the system will reach a point where it is not possible to create sufficient friction, regardless of how hard it is to press the pedal. Naturally, this will not happen with an ordinary driver who is driving on a city road, while using a calm driving style. The regular disc is designed to cool.
However, if the driving style changes at least for a minute to a more aggressive side or the road conditions are changed to extreme and require active management, then the original wheels will not be able to cope with the task so effectively. Therefore, perforated brake discs are not just a design element. Due to the perforation, the cooling ability is significantly improved, and the quality of braking is also improved.
Principle of operation
The perforated element is a completely regular disk.
However, there are openings on its working plane through which a huge amount of excess thermal energy and gases escape during the movement. Thanks to these holes, the perforated ventilated brake disc itself, pads, as well as other, equally important, system components are more efficiently cooled. Manufacturers of such components conduct regular tests. On cars that are equipped with various discs, it is perforated discs that showed better results, and the temperature difference was 100 degrees or more.
The colder the more effective
System performance depends on how cold the drives are. The lower their temperature, the faster and more efficient the car reduces speed. One of the advantages of perforated elements is that, thanks to the holes, the pads are also cleaned.
This factor has a positive effect on friction. Among the advantages can be identified quick drainage - the pedal is no longer so "lethargic". It will always be under the driver’s foot, and the likelihood that the brakes will suddenly fail is very low.
Ventilated discs
There is also a ventilated element. Here on the surface there are special notches. Thanks to them, air is better blown through the disk. This helps the part cool faster. Such components can be found on the front brakes.
The fact is that in the process of braking it is on the front disc that a large load goes. Manufacturers install conventional discs on the rear brakes. But many modern automakers now began to mount a perforated rear brake disc . This is true for expensive and powerful cars.
About the notch design
How fast the disk cools down is influenced by the type of notches. Manufacturers today use more than 70 different design variations. Some notches are straight, others are curved, and others are segmented. A huge number of elements go out from the center. Others pass along the surface in a zigzag pattern. For greater efficiency, it is necessary that as much air flow as possible passes over the surface of the disk. The notches work like a fan blade. Due to this, air is blown.
Risk of cracking
Perforated front brake disc is an excellent design element, but only if the choice of disc was approached with all responsibility. Holes that are drilled through the metal of the disc create stress points.
If their edges are not rounded enough to dissipate the pressure, then the pores can concentrate the stress at one point. The result is a crack that will quickly spread over the entire surface of the part. Cases were observed when motorists did drilling on their own. Some discs scattered on the go. A large number of holes can significantly weaken the disk even in the case of normal rounding of the holes. The element should not resemble Swiss cheese. This means that it is better to purchase a quality product, for example Zimmermann perforated brake discs, than to make a likeness on your own and take risks.
Manufacturers
Car enthusiasts distinguish products of the German company Zimmermann. This is a respected company that has been producing various components of the brake system for many years. Brembo is another respected brand. This company has also been engaged in disc braking systems for a long time. Today, Brembo conventional and perforated brake discs are installed on cars manufactured in the USA and Europe. These are the most respected brands. The manufacturer is well known among drivers, and the product collects positive reviews.