Are Ceramic Composite Brakes Worth The Investment?
Performance cars are known primarily for their engines. The more horsepower, the better. The braking systems that are installed in these cars are often just as impressive, even though they rarely capture as large a portion of the spotlight. For example, ceramic composite brakes (CCBs) have been used in NASCAR and Formula 1 racing for years. They allow drivers to squeeze as much performance as possible from their vehicles. The question is whether the investment is worthwhile for “regular” drivers.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at CCBs from the perspective of using them for conventional driving. I’ll explain the technology behind them and provide a glimpse of their advantages. Even though the price of this unique braking system has declined over the last several years, they still cost thousands of dollars.
Understanding The Technology
One of the reasons ceramic composite brakes are so expensive is due to the lengthy process required to make them. Carbon fibers are combined with a silicon-based resin and molded into a brake disc. Then, using temperatures that climb to nearly 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the resin within the disc is changed into silicon carbide. It becomes as hard and durable as diamond. Next, the middle part of the rotor (which is often made from aluminum) is bolted to the CCB disc.
What Are The Advantages?
First, they’re lighter than conventional braking systems. Not only does that improve a car’s fuel efficiency, but the reduction in weight provides the driver with more control and comfort. The fact that CCBs provide more fuel efficiency means very little to the average driver. The higher price for this braking system all but eliminates any savings at the pump.
Ceramic composite brakes are also more durable than conventional discs and rotors. Automakers who install CCBs in their high-end vehicles claim that they’ll last for the life of the car. A related benefit is that the rotor is unlikely to warp, which can happen to conventional rotors due to excess heat, worn-out pads, and other factors.
Another advantage of using this type of braking system is that the material is more resistant to high temperatures. Brakes generate heat very quickly, especially with heavy use (for example, edging down a steep decline). That heat causes their performance to suffer. This is the reason CCBs are used in race cars.
The main drawback of ceramic composite braking systems (and it’s a significant drawback) is the price. The “hard as diamond” material that is used to create the rotor (ceramic composite) is very expensive. As a result, they are still beyond the budgets of most drivers. And given that their high level of performance is unnecessary for most people, it is unlikely that ceramic composite brakes will be mass-produced. As a result, we can expect prices for CCBs to remain high for the foreseeable future.
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Tags: Car Brakes, Car Maintenance, Car Repair, Ceramic Composite Brakes
March 1st, 2010 at 11:28 pm
The sedan models produced by the Lincoln Motor group were called as police flyers. Some of the features of the sedan model include four wheel brakes, spotlights positioned at the end of windshield, automatic wiper for driver, whistles and gun racks and hand operated wiper for front passengers. Some of the initial models produced by the company include Lincoln Model L Sport Touring in 1929, Lincoln premier in 1959, Lincoln Continental Coupe in 1948, Lincoln convertible in 1949, Lincoln Town car during 2003 to 2007 and more.