ceramic brakes reduce vehicle weight by more than 10 pounds, resist heat-induced fading and are expected to last the life of the vehicle. Pad life has tripled and handling is improved because of reduced unsprung weight (the mass of the body and components not supported by the suspension).
A similar type of ceramic composite brake manufactured by Starfire Systems is being tested by the motorcycle racing market, including Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Harley Davidson. Motorcycle racer Jason DiSalvo rated Starfire System’s new brakes “a 12 on a scale of one to 10.” His rating followed a three-day evaluation of a 2004 Yamaha YZF-R1 motorbike equipped with the company’s composite brake rotors. These rotors are manufactured using Starfire’s proprietary polymers and high quality carbon weaves.
Unlike conventional steel discs, these types of rotors actually perform better as their temperature increases. They have proven capable of increasing fuel efficiency, acceleration, braking consistency, and total life-span. These benefits are realized while improving braking and handling performance even at-the-limit. With less un-sprung mass, such rotors offer the potential for components at all corners of a vehicle to be engineered for reduced weight.
Ceramic clutches a big hit with Jay Leno
Car buff and famous talk show host Jay Leno recently raved about the ceramic composite clutch used in Porsche’s Carrera GT. After a test drive he said: “…we did around 50 burnouts, trying to find the best way to minimize wheelspin off the line. It never slipped and kept working fine. The Carrera GT will sprint to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, turn 131.6 mph in the quarter and top out at 205 mph…thanks to the ceramic clutch, you can do those 0-to-60 runs over and over again.” The engine run-out speed is over 20,000 rpm, according to Porsche.
The Carrera GT’s multiplate clutch is lighter (7.7 lb or 3.5 kg) and smaller than any comparable unit, leading to a weight reduction of more than 50% compared to a conventional clutch used in a Porsche 911 Turbo. The composite material is a combination of carbon fiber fabric and silicon carbide. Silicon carbide is almost as hard as diamond, with excellent wear and high temperature resistance. These properties make the composite an ideal choice to help transfer the V10’s 600-plus horsepower to the pavement. The clutch-plate diameter is only 6.65 in., which results in a low center of gravity; the smaller the clutch diameter, the lower the engine can be installed.
Sunglasses for your car
A completely new windshield developed by PPG blocks about 90 percent of the sun’s infrared rays and help keeps the interior cool and protect it from fading. The windshield’s blue color provides a striking, elegant effect that helps vehicles stand out in a crowd. The windshield incorporates nanocomposite coating technology inside the windshield so that the coating cannot be damaged or scratched. PPG has produced a limited quantity of windshields exclusively for the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger, which were available in 2006.
A cooler car helps to enhance passenger comfort, reduce air conditioning load and thereby improve fuel economy. In addition, the windshields provide haze-cutting visibility. As they would through blue-blocking sunglasses, drivers see yellow-green light through the windshield, creating an effect that users say reduces haze and glare. This windshield will not develop bubbles or scratches as it ages, and the inherent qualities of glass protect the coating and provide lasting aesthetics, optics and durability.
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