SS304 as brake disk material
SS304 as brake disk material
(OP)
Hello guys,
Can ss304 be used to manufacture brake disks for cars? What is the current standard used while manufacturing disk brakes? What are the chemical treatments and hardening processes that can be carried out on ss304 which will improve its characteristics as a brake disk material? What are the advantages and disadvantages for the same?
Can ss304 be used to manufacture brake disks for cars? What is the current standard used while manufacturing disk brakes? What are the chemical treatments and hardening processes that can be carried out on ss304 which will improve its characteristics as a brake disk material? What are the advantages and disadvantages for the same?





RE: SS304 as brake disk material
The standard for high volume automobile applications is gray iron according to custom standards created by each automobile manufacturer.
I suppose nitriding of the stainless steel could be done to improve the wear resistance (nitriding is used for gray iron rotors). It still would be a poor rotor.
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
Remember that today high performance rotors are made from ceramic.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
Motorcycles and bicycles commonly use a stainless steel but they don't need the same heat capacity as those required for automobiles.
I would also think that ferritic stainless steels may be more suitable than Austenitic grades which also work harden significantly.
The CoE is also lower and this needs to be considered in terms of the hub/rotor connection
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
Regards,
Mike
The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
"What are the advantages and disadvantages for the same?" I can't think of a single advantage over existing automotive brake rotor materials, and I can think of numerous disadvantages.
Corrosion resistance is not normally a concern with automotive brake rotors. Given the combined requirements of production cost, manufacturability of a vented brake rotor, durability/wear, performance, etc, some type of cast iron is usually best. The added raw material cost alone from using 304 rather than cast iron would likely triple the price of the brake rotor, while providing no benefit.
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
I tend to agree with the others, you might find a worse material for a brake rotor than 304, but it would not be easy.
Regards,
Mike
The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
Fiat 500, VW Golf, Mini, Scion, etc.
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
In order to use 304 it would need to be hard, like sheet that had been rolled to 3/4 hard or so. I would still expect galling and thermal fatigue cracking (too high of CTE and too low of thermal conductivity).
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
http://ebcbrakes.com/product/stainless-steel-rear-...
Similarly Wilwood offers "stainless steel" rotors for Harley Davidsons.
http://www.jegs.com/p/Wilwood/Wilwood-Stainless-St...
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
RE: SS304 as brake disk material
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube