| Inflation – that is the thing auto enthusiasts abhor the | | | | that melts conventional iron brake material. Simple |
| most. Car owners’ growing dilemma is all about the | | | | single-ingredient ceramics may be brittle like dinnerware |
| intensifying prices. This is true not just for vehicles in | | | | at times. Nevertheless, some types work well in |
| general but for auto parts in particular. As a fact, as | | | | turbochargers or jet engine bearings. |
| brakes get lighter, the prices become heavier that they | | | | To make ceramics durable enough for a brake disc, it |
| even drill a hole in the pocket of whoever needs this | | | | is produced as a composite. The composite version is |
| auto part. | | | | highly resistant to stretching. The process responsible |
| When a potential customer check boxes on the option | | | | for the production of the composite was developed by |
| list, he could easily detect the rising prices. The add-ons | | | | the Mitsubishi Chemical Company. In said process, the |
| worth $16,808 integrated to the league of the ceramic | | | | disc-shaped carbon fibers are saturated with a liquid |
| brakes on a Ferrari F430 cost about the same as that | | | | polymer containing silicon and carbon. Then, it is heated |
| of a Honda Civic. | | | | to make the ceramic hard. |
| Sophisticated auto ceramic brakes are an option on | | | | Ceramic brakes are famed for their durability and |
| the $172,505 F430 but standard on some other | | | | performance. As a fact, they last four times longer |
| Ferraris. These brakes are upgraded versions of iron | | | | than their iron counterparts. They also weigh half as |
| discs. The latter are already deemed impressive in the | | | | much as iron discs. Hence, this means improved auto |
| field because of their outstanding stopping power. | | | | acceleration and handling. |
| Drivers who spend weekends on the racetrack could | | | | There are other good reasons to choose ceramic |
| easily determine the difference in the braking functions. | | | | brakes. It can be recalled that CAFÉ mandated |
| The very first automaker to use ceramic brakes is | | | | corporate average fuel economy standards for the |
| Porsche. It happened in 2001 when it introduced discs | | | | automakers to comply. These standards put a tough |
| made of a novel ceramic composite material to lessen | | | | pressure to minimize the weight of the vehicles. This is |
| the weight of a special sport model. Ceramic brakes | | | | due to the fact that as a vehicle accelerates, it needs |
| are now offered as an option to some Porsche | | | | more energy to support its motion. This is because |
| vehicles. For Cayman sports car, ceramic brakes are | | | | they gain energy from accelerating and rotating. |
| priced at $8,150. | | | | Ceramic brakes come with especially designed brake |
| Rotors, which are also called brake discs, made of | | | | pads. One could not just use Volvo brake pads to |
| ceramic material are optional on the Audi S8. However, | | | | complement the brakes’ demands. Brake pads for |
| it is not offered yet in the United States. The Bentley | | | | ceramic composite discs may contain ceramic powder |
| Continental GT Diamond Series will also be given | | | | with metal. It may come in the form of particles or |
| ceramic discs priced at $189,900. | | | | wire. The ceramic material gives the brakes toughness |
| Ceramic composite boasts exceptional hardness as | | | | to resist wear. The metal form, on the hand, creates a |
| well as the ability to retain shape and strength despite | | | | ‘transfer coating’ during the break-in. |
| varying temperatures. As a fact, it could stand heat | | | | |