Brake rotor hardness number and heat treatment

[littlebum2002]

I am a member of a mini-baja team at the University of Louisiana. We are planning on having our brake rotors machined and heat treated, but we do not know what hardness the rotor should be. If any one has any ideas on what is a good hardness for a brake rotor, or any instructions on temperature or rate of heat treatment, please let me know.

 

[JimCasey]

I suppose someone should admonish you for student posting. Tsk.

But to answer your question: Why heat-treat a brake disc? If you are using it as intended, it will be thermal cycling rapidly anyway. When your driver stomps on the brake just before he dives into a water hazard you're going to get a pretty harsh heat/quench cycle.

If you feel the urge to heat-treat the brake disc, throw it in the oven at around 450F fo allow it to stress-relieve. At least this way whan you machine it and use it the first time it won't spontaneously stress-relieve and assume the shape of a potato chip.

 

[Heckler]

What material do you plan to make the rotors from? I was part of the mini baja team at CSU Sacramento in 1994. We took 1st and 7th in the west coast and 2nd & 4th in the midwest. We had aluminum rotors machined from 6061-T6. They performed without any problems. Remember the endurance race is only 4 hours......and why do you need to stop. I would focus on the drivetrain and maneuverability. Although, this was not my area of design I do not remember all the details. I did the rear suspension design.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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