Roadlink adds value with Brembo brake discs
Components provider Roadlink has outlined some of the features and benefits of its Brembo range of commercial vehicle brake discs.
The company says that, unlike with disc pads, there is often less regard or knowledge within the CV aftermarket around the importance of CV brake disc quality.
“We believe that operators and workshops need to consider the name on the CV disc box and the product in the box – is the name on the box actually the manufacturer? If not, why not?” said Roadlink.
“In reality many are not OE quality and are coming from the same foundries and factories where price is often more important than product quality and performance.”
Brembo CV discs are manufactured by Brembo in its European plants from high carbon cast iron with patented venting designs, says Roadlink, meaning that Brembo CV discs cope better with heat and last longer; and consequently, Brembo is an OE supplier to many truck, axle and brake manufacturers.
The use of high carbon material and PVT (Pillar Venting Technology) mean that for little extra product cost, Brembo discs will typically last far longer due to a significant reduction in premature cracking, says Roadlink, so represent better value for money for operators.
With brake discs subject to intense thermal stresses, manufacturer Brembo emphasises the vital importance of cooling the disc to ensure proper functioning of the braking system.
“The solution that’s generally implemented to increase the heat exchange surface with the air is the use of vented discs, with an appropriate width of the ventilation channel and increasingly efficient ventilation shapes.
“These ensure improved cooling compared to solid discs, which do not have the same capacity to dissipate heat as a ventilated disc. Brembo patented its PVT which, thanks to the shape and distribution of the pillars, manages to create air circulation inside the ventilation chamber, which allows for greater heat removal; what’s more, the position of the pillars is arranged in such a way as to create a good barrier against the formation and propagation of cracks.”
Roadlink cautions against the retrofitting of solid discs in place of OE vented discs. It contends: “Solid discs add extra weight, reduce payload capacity, increase fuel consumption and the chance of brake fade and impact on road handling. They can also lead to overheating issues and serious damage to other components including calipers, seals, tyres and bearings.’’
‘’Operators should be aware that the best solution for safe CV disc braking and component longevity is high carbon OE quality vented discs combined with OE quality disc pad materials.”
Roadlink highlights Brembo’s continued improvements to the quality of its PVT vented discs over time, including through implementation of the T Pillar and Star Pillar patents for the truck market.
According to the manufacturer, “The T Pillar solution avoid particles infiltrating the ventilation chamber of truck brake discs, while the Star Pillar solution further enhances resistance to thermal cracks.
“The PVT Plus ventilation solution further improves ventilation compared to previous systems, guaranteeing a further increase in durability of brake pads and discs.”
