Since most contemporary cars are equipped with front wheel Disc Brakes, you need to know how to service these relatively newer braking systems that are totally different from the working of customary Drum Brakes that are well-known to many. To begin with, you need to have an overall idea or concept about how disc brakes function. A disc brake, as the title suggests, primarily has a Disc, (also called Rotor in American English), attached to the hub of a vehicle that rotates as the wheel of the vehicle moves.
However, this is precisely performed by the component called Brake Caliper that literally pinches or squeezes the Rotor with the help of a pair of abrasive pads, technically called Brake Pads, thus creating friction and waste heat which is dissipated quickly. In actual reality, when you step on your car’s brake pedal, pressurized hydraulic brake fluid rushes out to the brake caliper pistons, forcing the brake pad friction material to tightly squeeze the disc or the rotor.
As you may well appreciate that friction and generation of heat affects the component that relates to it. In disc brake systems, the brake pads and rotors are equally affected by the above phenomenon.
Brake Rotors and their types
Brake Rotors are available in various designs and styles as are outlined below.
Smooth Type (Not Slotted)
Provides adequate stopping power during normal driving conditions
Has more surface area, as compared to slotted rotors and so proves more effective at dissipating heat
Seldom tends to crack or snap, even under rigorous driving conditions
More structural integrity due to its solidness , as compared to slotted structure
Slotted Type
Features grooves slotted on the surface and so offers better grip for the brake pads
Slots help escape built-up gases (due to incessant braking in city traffic) thus maintaining normal temperature that prevents brake pad glazing
Provides better brake pad bite, as compared to Drilled rotors
Has higher COF (Coefficient of friction) thereby utilizing lesser force to lower the momentum
Disallows brake fade, while maintaining unswerving stopping power
Cross Drilled Type
Provides better wet-weather performance by way of allowing water to escape from rotor surface
Help maintain normal temperature even under stressful conditions thus providing prolonged brake pad life
Looks more appealing
Drilled & Slotted Type
Features the appeal as well as the functionality of Cross-drilled and slotted rotors
Offers effective contact surface under all conditions
Ideally suited for vehicles hauling hefty materials and weights.
Works best when combined with high-end brake pad and fresh DOT-3 or DOT-4 hydraulic fluid
>> Ceramic Brake Pads that are composed of clay and porcelain (and are burnt in a kiln) has the durability of fully metallic brake pads , while featuring the grip and fade resistance of the synthetic type, and so are cherished by all but bought by few because of their high price.
To know more visit: https://www.brakeneeds.com/brake-rotors/brake-pads-and-rotors.html