The primary function of brake discs is to convert kinetic energy into thermal energy and then to dissipate that thermal energy. Under excessive thermal load, the disc temperature field can become uneven which can further lead to undesired problems such as thermal localisations (hot spotting), hot judder, audible drone and cracking. To improve the brake system performance in terms of minimizing disc surface temperature variation, a 2D FE study was performed. An axisymmetric pad assumption and implementation of a user subroutine enabled effective and efficient parametric studies of the effects of material properties and vent geometry on both hot spotting and bulk disc temperature. The results indicated that in order to minimise the brake disc surface temperature variation, increased disc heat capacity, thermal conductivity, pad compressibility, disc thickness, vent number and decreasing pad length are recommended. It was also found that the braking speed had a greater effect on hot spot number when compared with load and total energy input; whilst increasing

Tang Jinghan, Bryant David, Qi Hongsheng. University of Bradford, United Kingdo