Disc brakes in doubt
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BRAKING legislation "must be enlightened to encourage, rather than hinder, the designer". This was put forward at a recent symposium in Sweden sponsored by SAB Brake Regulators.
In his paper on 'Commercial Vehicle Bradldng Systems in the 1980's' T.R. Newcomb of Loughborough University of Technology wrote that the general use of anti-lock systems to retain stability and steerability is the most im portant factor likely to affect braking systems in the future.
The future of disc brakes in heavy vehicle design is uncertain, although there are advantages over the drum, Mr Newcombe continued. They are more stable and can withstand higher temperatures, but there are two problems which have to be overcome.
First, the disc has to act as an adequate heat sink and prevent temperatures rising. However the wheel limit the diameter of the disc an although thicker discs can t used, cracking and crazing the disc can occur due to ti high thermal gradients.
The second problem is 1 supply an adequate clampir load to the discs. This is mo, difficult to arrange than in car.
It was suggested that flu cooled multiple disc brak may eventually be used ( very heavy vehicles.