ME 352:

APPLIED THERMODYNAMICS PROJECT

THERMAL ANALYSIS OF DISC BRAKE
Introduction
 A disc brake is a type of brake that uses callipers to
squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or "rotor" to create
friction.
 To slow down the wheel, friction material in the form of
brake pads, mounted on the brake calliper, is forced
mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or
electromagnetically against both sides of the disc
OBJECTIVE
The goal is to find an appropriate material which can handle
large temperatures in the rotor and successfully dissipate
heat from the system. This could be also done by
redesigning/modifying the rotor. So, effects of vents and
holes are also analysed. For the analysis part, concept of FEA
has been put into use. The simulation part has been done in
ANSYS and steady state analysis has been done to find out
the heat transfer coefficients and heat flux.
METHODOLOGY
 A vehicle of mass 150 kg is considered moving with speed
100 km/h.
 Various assumptions are made. [Steady state, complete
kinetic energy is converted to heat , heat dissipation is
radial, no forced convection, deceleration is uniform]
 The disc brake has been designed in CATIA V5 and its
thermal analysis is done in ANSYS
 Four different kind of material is analysed with and without
inclusion of vents.
 These four materials- cast iron, ceramics, stainless steel,
titanium alloy – are greatly used in making of steel.
 Temperature is assumed to reach 150 ˚C. Heat flux is
calculated by assuming steady state and neglecting other
heat dissipation effects.
Results

ceramics Grey cast iron

Stainless steel Titanium alloy

Results

ceramics Grey cast iron

Stainless steel Titanium alloy

Conclusion
 Ceramics are the apt material considering they can handle
high brake temperatures with less heat fade, provide faster
recovery after the stop, and generate less dust and wear
on both the pads and rotors.
 We also observe that vents create effects in heat
dissipation. The disc brakes which are using vents drop
down to lower temperatures than those which are without
vents.
References
Problems Associated With Existing Disc Brake Rotors and Suggestion of
Alternate Ways
-Elangovan P, and Anas.O.V
Thank you!!