Thermal characterization of a gray cast iron vented brake rotor during severe-braking using infrared thermography

Abstract

Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Turkey, 19-21 July, 2010.

High resolution infrared thermography was used to analyze the thermal response of a vented brake disk (made of gray cast iron) during sudden braking. This research was conducted to test brake rotors made of a new gray iron alloy. Experience with current rotors has shown the formation of cracks due to thermal stresses developed during braking episodes. Such crack results in the shortening of the service life of the brake rotor but also and most importantly they may constitute a safety risk to the people using a vehicle with damaged brake rotors. Results from the thermal characterization reveal that our approach to minimize cracking during braking episodes is the correct one.