Ceramic Discs to Last Up to 300,000 KM
While airbags, safety cells and stability control systems are hailed as the latest and greatest features designed to protect the
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Audi has announced that it will be offering ceramic brakes on its flagship vehicles, the A8 W12 and long-wheelbase A8L W12. (Photo: Audi of America) |
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With ceramic brakes, the material of choice is silicon carbide, an abrasion-resistant crystalline compound that's similar to diamond in structure. (Photo: Audi of America) |
So, what exactly is a ceramic brake? The difference is not in the caliper, but rather, in the disc itself. Normal discs are made of steel, which is a formidable material for the job. With ceramic brakes, the material of choice is silicon carbide, an abrasion-resistant crystalline compound that's similar to diamond in structure. Embedded into the disc are fibers of carbon, which help the silicon carbide absorb and cope with the immense stresses that a brake disc would normally endure. Because of the material used in the composition of the discs, the brakes also have a uniform coefficient of friction, which provides consistent pedal feel and braking distances, regardless of weather or temperature.