The American industrial and manufacturing industry is thriving. Even in today’s economic climate, the manufacturing industry has directly employed over 12 million workers and is generating consistent revenue for the US economy.
To remain efficient, though, industrial plants must have the most efficient and effective equipment on the market. This means looking into new trends in braking. Ceramic braking is one of the newest and most coveted braking technologies out there, but what exactly are ceramic brakes?
Read on to answer this question and learn the difference between ceramic brakes vs. regular ones.
How Do Regular Brakes Work?
Generally, there are two types of regular industrial brakes: drum brakes and disc brakes. Both of these brakes rotate and use friction to slow down or stop the running machine that they’re attached to. Drum brakes have a hollow area that presses outward and around the wheel when the brakes are turned on, causing the machine to stop.
Today in discussing ‘regular brakes,’ our focus is on disc brakes. Disc brakes have a semi-metallic pad that presses down onto the brake disc, causing the machine to slow and stop. This metallic pad, known as the disc, is in the front of the brake’s wheels. It relies on hydraulic oil to run efficiently, so you’re going to need to change out the oil frequently.
Regular brakes are an incredibly affordable technology, and since they’ve been used for decades, you know what you’re getting.
What Are Ceramic Brakes?
Similar to disc brakes, ceramic brakes stop a machine with a brake pad that presses down onto the brake disc. However, this brake pad is made from ceramic instead of the semi-metallic metal material that disc pads use.
This is a relatively new technology, but it’s been gaining traction (no pun intended) very quickly. They’re made of soft copper combined with ceramic to make the brake work without putting too much pressure on the machine. This means that they’re a lot quieter than regular brakes and create less regular rotor wear and tear.
Ceramic Brakes vs. Regular Brakes
The main difference between ceramic vs. metallic brake pads is the material used to press down on the machinery’s wheels.
If you’re operating in conditions like extreme cold or heat, you need to use semi-metallic brake pads. This is because ceramic ones don’t hold up in these extreme conditions and will begin to melt and stop functioning.
However, if there are no extreme conditions, ceramic brakes may be the way to go since they’re less likely to overburden our machinery with pressure and rotor wear.
It’s interesting to note that ceramic brake pads can also be used in cars. Check it out!
Get Industrial Brakes Today
While selecting the correct industrial brakes for your machinery can be difficult, you’ll be fine as long as you do your research on all your options and choose the best one for your specific needs.
Now that you know the difference between ceramic brakes vs. regular ones, it’s time to begin selecting brake and clutch machinery for your industrial plant. Click here to contact us and discuss your specific needs with a professional. We’ll be more than happy to give you a quote and discuss the pricing for your equipment as well.