Brake disks: The high performers in the brake system

Effective braking power - safety without compromise

Brake discs are more than just a part of the braking system. They are the connection between the brake pads and the wheel and are the decisive factor that determines control and your safety.

At MOV'IT, we combine state-of-the-art technologies and innovative engineering to redefine the limits of conventional braking systems. With our brake discs, you are ready for any challenge - on the race track, off-road, in military operations or in critical situations on the road.

Are you interested in customized high-performance braking systems from MOV'IT? Get in touch with us!

The tasks of a brake disc: More than just braking

The brake disc is a central element of the disc brake system. Its main task is to convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle into thermal energy through the friction between the brake pads and the brake disc and to dissipate this energy in a controlled manner. This slows the vehicle down and brings it to a complete stop.

Behind this seemingly simple principle lies a complex interplay of material and design in order to meet the highest requirements. The brake disc must be able to withstand enormous forces and high temperatures without losing its reliability.

If you consider the entire braking system, the brake disc takes on 5 particularly important tasks for your safety during every braking maneuver:

1. conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy

When the brake pedal is pressed, a hydraulic system uses the brake fluid and brake pistons to press the brake pads onto the brake disc. This converts the kinetic energy of the rolling vehicle into thermal energy through friction. An enormous amount of heat is generated, often well over 200 degrees Celsius.

The brake disk must be able to withstand this without losing strength or becoming deformed.

2. heat dissipation for fading safety

To protect the brakes from overheating, the heat generated must be released into the environment as quickly as possible.

Modern brake discs are often equipped with an integrated ventilation system. Internal channels or additional ribs, which increase the surface area and maximize heat dissipation, perform this task. The risk of accidents due to a reduction in braking efficiency caused by heat (fading) is significantly minimized.

3. ensuring stable braking behavior

The brake disc must provide a consistent braking effect under a wide range of conditions - be it on long downhill runs, sudden braking maneuvers at high speed or in changing weather conditions.

The massive forces acting on the brake system must not cause cracks or deformations, nor must the brake system lose braking force (fading) due to the temperatures that occur.

4. optimization of vehicle dynamics

Modern brake discs are usually designed not only to brake efficiently, but also to improve vehicle dynamics. The use of lightweight materials - e.g. aluminum in combination with grey cast iron friction rings - reduces weight. This reduces the so-called unsprung masses, which contributes to more precise handling and gives you maximum control over your vehicle.

5. adaptation to specific requirements

Brake discs must be adapted to the requirements of the respective vehicle. A car for racing requires different brake discs than an armored special protection vehicle or vehicles for military use. Factors such as the material composition, the design of the ventilation systems, the brake disk thickness and the size of the disk play a decisive role here.

Types of brake disks: An overview

There are different brake disk designs depending on the area of application. The individual features each have advantages and disadvantages:

1. slotted brake disks

Slotted brake discs have grooves on the surface to quickly drain off rainwater or dirt and thus maintain friction between the pad and disc. Depending on the arrangement, they also ensure that the brake pads remain clean and smooth and are removed evenly. Depending on the driving style, this leads to comparatively higher pad wear, which is why the minimum pad thickness should be checked regularly.

Advantages:
Lower tendency to crack at high temperatures compared to perforated brake discs
Drainage of moisture and gases

Disadvantages:
Reduced heat dissipation compared to perforated brake discs
Comparatively increased brake pad wear

2. perforated brake disks

With these discs, holes provide better cooling and ensure comparatively more stable braking behavior in wet riding conditions.

Advantages:
Consistently efficient braking performance in the wet
Optimized heat dissipation

Disadvantages:
Higher risk of heat cracking, especially the closer to the outer diameter
More complex to manufacture

3. ventilated brake disks

Regardless of perforations or grooves, some brake discs have an internal ventilation system with channels or ribs that help dissipate heat.

Advantages:
Optimum cooling
Extended service life with intensive use

Disadvantages:
More complex to develop and manufacture

The choice of the right brake disc depends on the area of application. At MOV'IT, 100% of the brake discs installed are equipped with the innovative MOV'IT DDE ventilation system. Slotted brake discs are being used more and more, particularly in the sport performance sector, where the service life of the brake discs plays a decisive role.

Disc brakes vs. drum brakes: What makes the difference?

Braking systems are essential for the control and safety of a vehicle. They bring vehicles to a standstill by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy. There are two main types: drum brakes and disc brakes.

Drum brakes were standard for a long time and were used in all types of vehicles - from light mopeds to heavy trucks. They offer a large friction surface and therefore high braking force. However, their weak point is heat dissipation. Without an efficient ventilation system, they can quickly overheat, which leads to increased pad wear, costly maintenance and an increased risk of accidents.

Disc brakes, on the other hand, have a smaller friction surface, but require less maintenance and are better able to dissipate heat thanks to their design. These advantages, as well as technological advances such as smaller tire sidewalls and larger rims, now make them standard on almost all types of vehicle.

MOV'IT brake disks: High performance meets precision

MOV'IT specializes in the development of brake systems for high-performance applications. Each individual item is designed to function safely and for the long term in different operating environments and under extreme loads. Tailored to the respective vehicle class, the brake systems offer maximum deceleration performance exactly when it matters.

We pay particular attention to a first-class combination of materials, as well as to the largest possible design of the brake discs in order to optimize heat dissipation.

Two-part constructions: A MOV'IT unique selling point

For sports performance applications, MOV'IT relies on two-piece brake discs consisting of an aluminum pot and a floating cast iron friction ring. This design masterpiece minimizes the risk of distortion even at temperatures of up to 400 °C, as the friction ring can expand better. This ensures smooth running and a longer service life for the brakes.

Advantages of two-piece brake disks:

• Thermal expansion: The floating bearing allows radial expansion of the materials under heat.
• Weight reduction: Aluminum pots reduce the unsprung masses and improve handling.
• Efficient heat dissipation: Ventilation systems between the friction rings, adapted to the area of application, ensure optimized heat dissipation
• Price-performance ratio: Even if the price per unit is higher, you benefit from a longer service life and therefore lower maintenance costs and better performance.

In the field of heavy-duty brake systems for special protection and military applications, one-piece brake discs made entirely of cast iron are used. The higher masses of the vehicles to be braked require the higher strength of the material.

Advantages of one-piece brake disks:

• Increased strength: The design ensures particularly high structural stability, making it ideal for extreme loads where resistance to breakage and durability are crucial.
• Cost efficiency: One-piece panes are often cheaper to manufacture as they are less complex. 
• Ease of maintenance: The one-piece production eliminates the need for special connections such as floating bearings, which simplifies maintenance and extends the service life.

The most important facts summarized

• Brake discs convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle into thermal energy and dissipate it in a controlled manner to bring the vehicle to a safe standstill.
• Modern brake discs have ventilation systems such as the MOV'IT DDE system to avoid overheating and prevent fading.
• Lightweight materials and innovative designs improve handling thanks to reduced unsprung masses.
• Different designs, e.g. slotted, perforated or ventilated panes, are selected depending on the area of application.
• Two-piece brake discs offer advantages such as lower weight and floating bearings, while one-piece models offer greater strength and cost efficiency.

Talk to our experts

Do you have any questions about our brake systems and brake discs or would you like more information about our products? Then send us your inquiry, we look forward to hearing from you.