Name: Dipl. -Ing. Thorsten Opel (né Balzer)
Company: University of Bayreuth
Presentation Title: Metal-Ceramic Hybrid Brake Disc: Concept, Prototype, Testing (EB2020-MDS-012)
Session: Innovative Brake Rotors, Monday 17th May 2021, 15:00 - 16:40 (Central European Summer Time - CEST)
What do you find most interesting about the topic of your presentation?
The ongoing substitution of internal combustion engines with electric motors will further shift the attention of the legislation and the general public towards particulate matter emissions of brakes and tires. Combined with the new challenges set by electric vehicles for future brake systems, it’s a very challenging and exciting time to work on innovative brake rotor concepts.
When discussing this topic with industry peers, what question are you most frequently asked? How do you answer it?
Why combine an aluminium carrier body with ceramic C/SiC friction segments?
The combination of C/SiC (same material used for carbon ceramic brake discs) friction segments and an aluminium carrier body allows us to combine the advantages of both materials. Resulting in a lightweight brake disc with a comparable friction performance as a carbon ceramic brake disc, but at a much lower price.
Who do you think will be most interested in your presentation, and who would you most like to ask questions about it?
Anyone who is looking for new innovative brake rotor concepts which combine exceptional friction performance with lightweight design and excellent wear properties.
I would like to discuss my work with interested parties with the aim of working towards (publicly funded) joint research projects.
What specific topics or technology are you hoping to see in other presentations or in the exhibition?
New rotor designs for E-Mobility as well as recent developments regarding friction materials and particulate matter emissions of different friction pairings. Furthermore, it would be nice to see work on the impact of brake dust emissions on the environment including urban areas.
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About Thorsten Opel (né Balzer)
My name is Thorsten Opel (né Balzer), I am a research associate at the chair of ceramic materials engineering at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. I studied Material Sciences with a focus on ceramic matrix composites, tribology and ceramic friction materials.
In my PhD thesis I am working on a new metal ceramic hybrid brake disc concept. I am responsible for the University of Bayreuth’s dynamometer brake test stand and worked on several projects with a focus on tribology, especially ceramic brakes and ceramic friction pairings. Apart from tribology I have experience in the manufacturing, characterisation and analysis of ceramic matrix composites as well as CAD and FEA methods. As the elected speaker of the Universities doctoral assembly, I am involved with the Universities politics, and try to support fellow PhD students with their problems.
In the light of my previous presentations at the 2018 and 2019 EuroBrake, I am looking forward to present the advancements of my research work as the presenting author of EB2020-MDS-012: “Metal-Ceramic Hybrid Brake Disc: Concept, Prototype, Testing”.
