Brembo MotoGP Disc Brakes: How Do They Work?

Published: Monday, July 22, 2013, 13:30 [IST]

Disc brakes. Yes, we all know what it is and what it does. The most watered down explanation would be, a pad pressing against a metal disc and the resulting friction causing the wheels to stop rotating. There is nothing wrong in that explanation, but like we said, its too generalized an explanation.

Brembo, has now released a video explaining the working of its braking systems used in MotoGP bikes. It goes into all the intricate details, while keeping the explanation simple and easy to grasp. At the same time it lets us appreciate the technology that goes into this amazing safety system.

Brembo brakes on a Ducati Panigale superbike

Almost every manufacturer relies on Brembo brakes for their road going performance vehicles. When it comes to motorsports Brembo braking systems once again is the only company teams trust to provide stopping power for their racing machines, be it Formula 1 or MotoGP.

Image: Calipers from a car

Calipers are the most visible units of a braking system since they usually come in bright colours to look attractive and give the vehicle a sporty appearance. This unit houses the abrasive brake pads and the pistons which push the pads against the discs.

Image: Calipers from a MotoGP bike

Calipers come in both single and two piece units. Sports braking systems use advanced, lightweight caliper units which, along with providing superior braking also improve mileage. All high performance brake calipers are fixed type, which are stationary relative to the rotation of the disc.

Image: Brake discs from a car

The discs are are the rotary parts which are stopped by the pads when they rub against them. Discs are most commonly made from cast iron. However, high performance and heavy vehicles use discs made from composite, carbon ceramic materials. These composites are lightweight and can also withstand extremely high temperatures. Temperatures at which iron would become malleable.

Image: A disc used in a MotoGP bike

The slots and holes drilled into discs which we see are meant to provide ventilation and also as an easy means for dirt to be removed.

Brake Pads

Each caliper may hold two to three brake pads held by a metal plate. Asbestos was once commonly used to make pads, but have now been discontinued since inhalation of asbestos dust produced while braking can cause serious and permanent damage to the respiratory system.

Ceramic pads

Ceramic materials have proved to an effective replacement since they are both heat resistant and do not generate a lot of noise.

Master cylinder

This is a reservoir of hydraulic liquid which converts the mechanical pressure of brake application to hydraulic pressure resulting in the pistons pushing the pads against the discs.

Image: A Brembo master cylinder, brake lever unit from a MotoGP bike.

Master cylinders intern provide hydraulic pressure to a slave cylinder which does the actual work. The fluid in the cylinders also maintain a steady pressure on the discs as the materials start to wear out.