A range of brake discs are on offer

With experience from original equipment to the aftermarket, Brembo presents its prime two-piece brake discs range that represents quality and innovation.
“As a supplier of top range Original Equipment for the most prestigious car manufacturers, Brembo naturally transfers this know-how to its Aftermarket range of products. All brake discs are UV-coated and reflect the quality process used for OE products, because safety and the ‘piece of mind’ of the consumer are our focus. Its most exclusive product range includes the Composite, Floating, Co-cast, Lightweight and Cast discs, as well as a complete range of brake pads”, Brembo ANZ Product Manager, Alan Moore, said.
“We present to the market the highest performing of technical solutions, featuring special cast iron, pillar or directional venting, and drilled and/or grooved braking surfaces.
“Thanks to these technological solutions, Brembo guarantees the highest performance even in extreme conditions, ensuring greater resistance of the discs, optimum comfort during driving, and a weight reduction of the braking system.”
“The range covers the premium models of some of the most important car manufacturers.”
Technical characteristics
The reduction of vehicle weight and unsprung masses has been one of the primary objectives of car manufacturers in recent years, to handle the needs for greater reduction of consumption and emissions.
The aluminium hat of the Composite, Floating and Dual Cast discs and the steel hat of the Co-cast and Lightweight discs allow a weight reduction of the disc that can range from 15 to 30 percent compared to an integral one of the same dimensions, says Brembo.
If compared to the mass of the vehicle, this reduction may seem marginal.
However, it actually has a significant impact on consumption, performance and handling of the car, since the disc is part of the vehicle’s unsprung masses.

Floating Discs
Brembo’s range of Floating Discs includes more than 26 items, derived directly from Brembo OE production.
“This range covers the most exclusive and performing applications, which require a high-performance brake system that can be guaranteed only by Brembo’s experience in racing,” Alan said.
“The floating discs have an aluminium hat which guarantees a reduction in weight of up to 30 percent compared to an integral disc of the same dimension.”
“The performance of the brake system takes advantage from the union of the disc hat with the braking surface made of special cast iron through fixing bushes.”
“In this way, the two components subjected to thermal stress allow a radial expansion of the braking surface, thus avoiding permanent deformation and tensions in case of overheating.”

Composite Discs
Brembo’s range of BMW Composite Discs are fully interchangeable with the original discs and have an aluminium hat connected by steel pins to the special cast iron braking surface.
Brembo says this technological solution is used on all of the most recent and highest performing applications in the BMW range, and currently includes more than 50 different references.

Co-Cast Discs
Brembo explains that its Co-Cast disc is used on the most premium of Mercedes applications – for which Brembo is already the original equipment manufacturer.
The Co-Cast Discs are characterised by the use of a steel hat connected by intercasting to
the braking surface in high carbon content cast iron.
“This technology, in addition to guaranteeing high performance of the braking system, reduces the weight of the disc by up to 15 percent,” Alan said.
The Co-Cast disc, fully interchangeable with the original one, has passed the strictest bench tests and is approved in accordance with ECE-R90 standards, says Brembo.

Lightweight Discs
The Lightweight Disc is a new addition to the Brembo range, though it is not yet available for Aftermarket outside of EU.
“Our Lightweight Disc is applicable for the most exclusive models in the latest generation Jaguar Land Rover range,” Alan said.
Manufactured in the same plant and on the same assembly line as Brembo’s OE product, the disc is made up of a high-carbon cast iron braking surface and a steel hat, which are connected by mechanical interference.
Brembo says these technical features allow for a weight reduction of up to 15 percent compared to its integral counterpart of the same size.
Since the brake disc contributes to the unsprung mass of the vehicle, Brembo says reducing the weight ensures an increase in the available force and therefore improves handling and reduces the consumption and emissions of the car.

Dual Cast Discs
The Dual Cast Disc is another exclusive aftermarket solution from Brembo.
It is available for the sportier models in the Audi, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Maserati, and Mercedes AMG ranges.
A fundamental characteristic of this type of disc is the cast iron braking surface and the aluminium hat, which combine the advantages of the way cast iron performs at high temperatures with the lightweight properties of the aluminium.
Brembo says the disc offers a weight reduction of up to 30 percent (versus an integral disc of the same dimensions), resulting in a significant reduction in both consumption and car emissions.
Further, it states the added functionality of the disc in withstanding permanent thermal deformations (up to 70 percent) improves performance with less residual torque and vibration.

The numbered graphic included within this article shows the various key elements of these Composite Discs.

1. Lightened hat: The hat in aluminium or steel allows a significant reduction in the weight of the disc.
2. Braking surface-hat connection: with reference to floating discs, this allows the braking surface to expand, without leading to permanent deformations.
3. Braking surface in cast iron: Brembo says the use of special cast alloys with high carbon content guarantees the best performance even in the most extreme conditions.
4. Grooves/holes: the use of holes and/or grooves on the braking surface provides the following advantages: continuous revitalisation of the friction material; better cooling; better performance in wet conditions; and better resistance to fading.
5. Enhanced ventilation: the use of Brembo pillar venting (a Brembo patented solution) or, alternatively, directional venting, allows better cooling of the disc and greater resistance to thermal cracks.

To learn more, visit www.brembo.com