A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a “rotor” to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hold it stationary. The energy of motion is converted into waste heat which must be dispersed.

The brake caliper is the assembly that houses the brake pads and pistons. The pistons are usually made of plastic, aluminium or chrome-plated steel.

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Gassmann, S. et al. (1993), "Excitation and transfer mechanism of brake judder", SAE Technical Paper Series, no. 931880. A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" [1] to create friction. [2] This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hold it stationary. The energy of motion is converted into waste heat which must be dispersed. If you notice any problems with your brakes, you should take your car to a mechanic. Problems can include: The level of brake pad wear that occurs depends on your vehicle, driving style, and road conditions. Early brake pads (and linings) contained asbestos, producing dust that should not be inhaled. Although newer pads can be made of ceramics, Kevlar, and other plastics, inhalation of brake dust should still be avoided regardless of material.

Historically, brake discs were manufactured throughout the world with a strong concentration in Europe and America. Between 1989 and 2005, the manufacturing of brake discs migrated predominantly to China. Cars With Carbon Ceramic Brakes Are Going to Be the Used Car Plague". Autotrader. 24 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022 . Retrieved 24 January 2022. Unsurprisingly having faulty brake discs can be very dangerous. According to a recent report from the Department for Transport (DfT) , defective brakes were the leading cause of road accidents between 2013 and 2018. Cold weather combined with high early-morning humidity (dew) often worsens brake squeal, although the squeal generally stops when the lining reaches regular operating temperatures. This more strongly affects pads meant to be used at higher temperatures. Dust on the brakes may also cause squeal and commercial brake cleaning products are designed to remove dirt and other contaminants. Pads without a proper amount of transfer material could also squeal, this can be remedied by bedding or re-bedding the brake pads to brake discs. Many early implementations for automobiles located the brakes on the inboard side of the driveshaft, near the differential, while most brakes today are located inside the wheels. An inboard location reduces the unsprung weight and eliminates a source of heat transfer to the tires.

Can I drive with faulty brakes?

Discs for motorcycles, bicycles and many cars often have holes or slots cut through the disc. This is done for better heat dissipation, to aid surface-water dispersal, to reduce noise, to reduce mass, or for marketing cosmetics.