Brembo launches light-weight brake disc concept

Brembo has developed a 10-15 per cent lighter brake disc, designed to offer reduced fuel consumption and less environmental impact. The new light-weight brake disc, conceived by Daimler AG in partnership with Brembo, has reportedly allowed the company to launch a product with “absolutely innovative characteristics”.

The new disc combines two different materials: cast iron and steel. In fact, the key advantage is drawn from the steel housing which is only 2.5 mm thick, as opposed to the 7.5 – 9 mm of a traditional cast iron housing – all with the same performance. This significant reduction in weight produces a disc which, depending on the geometry of the housing, is 10-15 per cent lighter: the larger the housing, the greater the weight reduction.

According to the company, the main contributory factor in Brembo’s development was the design of the housing’s gearing which was obtained by using precision sprocket technology found in the mechanisms in famous Swiss watches. This particular housing form also enabled us to successfully pass the severe mechanical resistance tests on the torque bench that Daimler required.

The new light weight brake disc will be the first Brembo product to be made all over the world since it will be produced simultaneously in its European, Chinese and American plants. This global production is made possible by the characteristics of the steel required to make the housing.

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