Final Project Updated
Final Project Updated
On
Sahil Shakay
(21EEBME012)
[Link]. - 4th Year Mechanical
Engineering College Bikaner, Bikaner
Jatin Dabi
(21EEBME007)
[Link]. - 4th Year Mechanical
Engineering College Bikaner, Bikaner
ii
ABSTRACT
A disc brake system in automobiles performs three important functions: reducing the
speed of the vehicle, maintaining speed while going downhill, and completely stopping
the vehicle. During braking, the disc brake can face problems like stress, structural
deformation, and wear and tear of the pads. This project studies the temperature of the
disc, stress concentration, structural deformation, and the contact pressure between the
disc and pads during a single braking event using ANSYS software.
The analysis focuses on frictional forces, nodal displacement, and buckling under
different pressure conditions. Based on this, the most suitable material for the disc brake
will be identified to ensure better durability and longer life. Preliminary analysis shows
that one material improves braking efficiency and gives more stability. Additionally, a
comparison of different materials will be done to find the best option for better
performance and longer life.
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CERTIFICATE
Certified that Project work entitled " DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF DISC BRAKE
BY USING FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS " is a Bonafide work carried out in the
eight Semester by Sahil Shakay and Jatin Dabi in partial fulfilment for the award of
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Engineering College Bikaner
under Bikaner Technical University, Bikaner during academic year 2024-25.
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
v
Table of Contents
List of Figures
Figure
No. Description Page
1.1 Disc Brake 2
1.2 Working of Disc Brake 10
1.8 Slotted, Drilled, Smooth Rotors 12
5.1 SolidWorks Interface 30
5.2 Plane Selection 31
5.3 Model Terminology 31
5.4 Model Creation from Scratch 32
5.5 Front View of Disc Rotor 34
5.6 Dimensions of Vents & Holes 34
4.5 Back View of Disc Rotor 35
4.6 Side View of Vented Disc Rotor 35
6.1–6.17 ANSYS Thermal and Structural Analysis Visuals 39–47
vi
List of Tables
vii
Chapter 1: Introduction
1
Disc brakes are frequently seen on the front wheels of midrange two-wheelers,
including sports bikes and commuting bikes. In addition to being extensively utilized on
the front and rear wheels of luxury cars and SUVs in conjunction with hydraulic or
vacuum brake actuating mechanisms, the disc braking system is found on the front
wheels of the majority of hatchbacks, entry-level sedans, and MUVs.
A disk brake's primary parts are the caliper, caliper support, rotor, and brake pads.
2
that stops the car
3
is then produced by the brake pad and disk adhering to one another. Each disc rotor in
a disc brake typically has two brake pads.
The caliper attached to the wheel hub or suspension upright holds these in place and
activates them. However, for optimal performance, racing calipers might use up to six
pads with different frictional qualities arranged in a staggered configuration. Disc wear
rates can vary depending on the material's characteristics, the vehicle's weight, and the
pace at which it is driven. To avoid brake fade, the brake pads often need to be changed
on a regular basis. The majority of brake pads have a mechanism to notify the driver
when this is necessary. One popular method is to create a tiny center groove that, when
worn away, signals the end of a pad's useful life. Other techniques include inserting a
thin, soft metal strip into a slot so that the brakes can be heard squealing when
exposed. When the brake pad becomes thin, a soft metal wear tab inserted in the pad
material can cut off an electric circuit and turn on a dashboard warning light.
1.2.2 Rotor
The iron disk rotor has heavily machined areas where the brake pads come into touch
with it. The rotor experiences some wear over time, similar to that of the brake pads,
typically manifested as ridges and groves where the brake pad scrapes against it. The
pads' wear pattern as they place themselves against the rotor is precisely the same
as this one. To give the new pads an even contact area to work with when the pads are
replaced, the rotor must be machined smoothly. A rotor can only have a limited amount
of material cut off of it before it breaks down and needs to be replaced.
Every rotor has a minimum thickness measurement stamped on it, and the brake
specialist will measure the rotor both before and after cutting it to ensure that it stays
over the required minimum. A rotor cannot withstand the high heat that brakes typically
produce if it is trimmed below the minimum. The brakes will deteriorate as a result,
becoming so ineffective that you might not be able to stop.
The most widely used and least expensive to produce and maintain are single piston
floating callipers. To orient itself above the rotor, a floating caliper moves or floats in a
track within its support. The hydraulic fluid pushes in two directions as you apply
braking pressure. The inner pad presses on the rotor as a result of the piston
4
being forced against it. Additionally, it presses the caliper against the opposing side
of the rotor by pushing it in the opposite direction against the outer pad. Certain cars
with two pistons positioned on the same side can also have floating callipers. More
costly vehicles often include two piston floating callipers, which can increase the
sensation of the brakes.
5
10
The following are the various disc brake types that are used:
1.4.1. Single piston
A single piston that is connected to the brake caliper activates the brake pads in a single
piston design, such those seen in two-wheelers. The brake pads flex and scrape against
the disk when you squeeze the brake lever because the brake oil pulls the piston. The
disc stops rotating as a result of friction between the brake pads and the disc, which
stops the wheel. The brake pads revert to their initial position when the brake lever is
released. This creates a space between them and the disc, allowing it to spin freely once
more.
Aside from the fact that there are two pistons instead of one, the twin piston design
found in automobiles is nearly the same. To apply the brake in this arrangement, the
brake pads are pushed by the dual pistons. The caliper, which keeps the components of
the brake system together, accepts the brake pads. The hydraulic power applied to the
calipers is multiplied by the oil in the brake master cylinder when the driver presses the
brake pedal, which causes the piston to compress. The brake pads then contract and rub
against the disc as a result of the pistons. The wheel stops because of the friction
between the brake pads and the disc, which stops it from rotating.
The brake pads then contract and rub against the disc as a result of the pistons. The
wheel stops because of the friction between the brake pads and the disc, which stops it
from rotating.
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1.5.1 Smooth Rotors
Smooth rotors are identified by their flat, smooth surface. For most cars and trucks on the
road, smooth rotors are original equipment (OE) because of their versatility for many
driving conditions. The main benefit of smooth rotors is that they tend to wear evenly,
helping your brake pads last longer. If you want to keep the smooth rotor but still go for
the upgrade, look for premium metal that absorbs more heat as shown in Figure 1.8.
(ii) Steel
Steel has been the racer’s choice for years, because a steel brake rotor is thinner, weighs
less and handles heat better. The downside: Steel rotors aren’t as durable as some others,
and warped rotors can cause noise and a pulsating pedal when you brake
(iv) Aluminium
Aluminium brake rotors dissipate heat quickly, but they also melt at a lower temperature
than other options. Aluminium is a Favourite for motorcycles, which weigh less and are
easier on the rotors when braking than a heavy car, truck or SUV.
(vi) Ceramic
What’s your favorite supercar? Ferrari? Porsche? Lamborghini? Odds are it’s packing
ceramic brake rotors. They offer the highest heat capacity (85 percent higher than cast
iron) and superior dissipation, and they maintain a more consistent force and pressure as
the temperature of the rotors rises. Ceramic is the highest-performance.
Compared to drum brakes, disk brakes take less effort (brake torque) to stop the
car.
For the same brake torque, it produces less heat than a drum brake. Because
the disk brake is outside the wheel rim, maintenance is simple.
13
It cools down more quickly than a drum brake.
In a drum brake, the brake drum may be cut if worn-out brake shoes are not
replaced on time. There is no such issue with the disk brake.
In wet conditions, it is less prone to slide than a drum brake.
In situations where braking is difficult, it is far safer than a drum brake. The rear
wheel may lock up in such a situation due to the drum brake.
14
Chapter 2: Literature
Table 2.1 : Comparative Table Between Gray Cast Iron & Aluminum
Composite
15
16
Katerina Kravchenko (2019):
Focusing on high-speed transportation, this research analyzed aerodynamic drag caused
by brake disc airflow. The study highlighted that while airflow aids in cooling, it can
increase energy losses. By simulating and testing various ventilated disc configurations,
including radial and tangential vane designs, the authors identified strategies to
minimize drag without compromising cooling efficiency.
Sumeet Satope (2017):
This research explored the thermochemical behavior of different brake disc materials
under extreme conditions. The study examined material efficiency and stability during
high-stress operations. Results indicated that selecting appropriate thermal properties
for disc materials could enhance braking performance and wear resistance.
Juraj Gerlici and Yuliia Fomina (2021):
The authors investigated the aerodynamic drag of various brake disc designs, including
radial, tangential, combined vanes, and solid discs. Using experimental and simulation
methods, the study concluded that combined vane designs optimize cooling and
minimize drag losses.
Pietro Tonolini and Lorenzo Montesano (2021):
The study explored the effects of laser-cladding coatings on gray cast iron brake discs.
Laboratory tests showed that coatings containing WC particles improved wear
resistance compared to conventional materials. The research proposed cost-effective
deposition processes for enhancing brake disc performance without introducing
contaminants.
Case Study: M.H. Pranta et al:
A computer analysis of the structural and thermal behavior of redesigned disk brake
rotors was conducted by M.H. Pranta et al. They used Ansys to examine the stress and
temperature distribution after modifying the ventilated disk brake rotor in their
experiment with curved holes, vents, and slots. SolidWorks was used to model the
brake, while ANSYS was used for simulation. A reference disk brake rotor was used to
assess the structural and thermal properties.
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18
19
20
Wear resistance and durability.
Weight and cost efficiency.
The analysis helped identify the material that offered the best combination of performance
and lifespan, ensuring optimal braking efficiency.
3.5 Validation
The simulation results were validated by comparing them with data from literature and
similar studies. This step ensured the accuracy and reliability of the findings. The
validated results provided a solid foundation for recommending design improvements
and material selection.
3.6 Optimization
Based on the simulation outcomes, the design was refined to improve performance further.
Adjustments were made to the rotor's geometry, such as modifying ventilation patterns
and optimizing thickness, to enhance heat dissipation and reduce weight. Material
selection was also revisited to balance durability, cost, and thermal performance.
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CHAPTER 4:
KE = 12 mv2
= 12 * 1140*33.332
= 633206.7 𝐽
2) Stopping Distance:
= 0.51*1140*9.81
22
= 5703.534 N
= 5703.5341140
= 5.0031 m/s2
= 33.33/5.0031
= 6.66 s
= 222.040 m
= (33.33*3.33) + 33.3322∗0.51∗9.81
= 222 m
= 633206.7222
= 2852.28N
= 2852.284
= 713.07 N
= 713.07*0.270
= 192.52 N-m
23
= (2402) − (442)
= 98 mm
= 192.52 * 270110.5
= 470.41 N-m
33.33 = π*0.540*N
= 123.65 * 180𝜋
= 7073.74 deg/sec
5) Heat Flux:
Heat Generated when applying braking action on disc brake = kinetic energy
Hg = K.E
= 633206.7 J
Hg = md*Cp*Δt
633206.7 = 4.8*790*Δt
Δt = 633206.74.8∗790
= 166.98 °C
≈ 167 °C
24
Cp = specific heat (J/Kg. K)
167 = tf -25
tf = 167+25
tf = 192 °C
P = 𝐾.𝐸𝑡 = 633206.75
= 126.64 Kw
= (126.64∗0.602)
= 38 Kw
= 19 Kw
= (195)∗0.0275
= 138.18 Kw/m2
= 2* 𝜋4∗[(𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟)2−(𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓
𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟−𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛)2]
= 2∗𝜋4∗[(0.211)2−(0.211−0.044)2
= 0.0275 m2
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Material: Cast Iron
Density (ρ) = 7200 kg/m³
Coefficient of friction (μ) = 0.35
Specific heat (Cp) = 460 J/kg K
Young’s Modulus = 110000 N/mm²
2) Stopping Distance:
Max friction force, F = μ * m * g
= 0.35 * 1140 * 9.81
= 3914.19 N
Deceleration, a = F / m
= 3914.19 / 1140
= 3.43 m/s²
Time to stop, t = v / a
= 33.33 / 3.43
= 9.71 s
Distance covered in stopping time = v * t
= 33.33 * 9.71
= 323.44 m
Total stopping distance including reaction time:
SD = (v * reaction time) + v² / (2 * μ * g)
= (33.33 * 3.33) + (33.33)² / (2 * 0.35 * 9.81)
= 111 + 158.4 = 269.4 m
3) Braking Force (BFf):
BFf = KE / Stopping Distance
= 633206.7 / 269.4
= 2350.14 N
Force per wheel, Ft = BFf / 4
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= 2350.14 / 4 = 587.54 N
Braking torque per wheel, Tw = Ft * R
= Ft * 0.270
= 587.54 * 0.270 = 158.64 N-m
Effective rotor radius, Re = (Rotor Diameter² - Caliper Piston Diameter²)
= (0.240²) - (0.044²) = 0.0576 - 0.0019 = 0.0557 m
Braking torque on disc, Tb = Tw * Re
= 158.64 * 0.0557 = 8.83 N-m
4) Angular Velocity (ω):
v=π*D*N
33.33 = π * 0.540 * N
N = 33.33 / (π * 0.540) = 19.65 rps
ω = 2 * π * N = 2 * π * 19.65 = 123.45 rad/s
ω (deg/s) = 123.45 * 180 / π = 7073.74 deg/s
5) Heat Flux:
Heat generated = KE = 633206.7 J
Hg = md * Cp * Δt
633206.7 = 4.8 * 460 * Δt
Δt = 633206.7 / (4.8 * 460) = 286.78 °C
Final temperature: tf = Δt + ti = 286.78 + 25 = 311.78 °C
Power produced:
P = KE / t = 633206.7 / 5 = 126.64 kW
60% mass on front = 126.64 * 0.6 = 75.98 kW
Power on each front rotor = 75.98 / 2 = 37.99 kW
Contact area, A = 2 * π/4 * [(diameter rotor)² - (diameter rotor - diameter piston)²]
= 2 * π / 4 * [(0.211)² - (0.211 - 0.044)²] = 0.0275 m²
Heat flux = P / A = 37.99 / 0.0275 = 1381.45 kW/m²
27
1) Kinetic Energy (KE):
KE = ½ * m * v²
= ½ * 1140 * (33.33)²
= 633206.7 J
2) Stopping Distance:
Max friction force, F = μ * m * g
= 0.45 * 1140 * 9.81
= 5032.53 N
Deceleration, a = F / m
= 5032.53 / 1140
= 4.41 m/s²
Time to stop, t = v / a
= 33.33 / 4.41
= 7.55 s
Distance covered = v * t
= 33.33 * 7.55
= 251.71 m
Total stopping distance including reaction time:
SD = (33.33 * 3.33) + (33.33)² / (2 * 0.45 * 9.81)
= 111 + 125.7
= 236.7 m
3) Braking Force (BFf):
BFf = KE / SD
= 633206.7 / 236.7
= 2675.76 N
Force per wheel, Ft = BFf / 4
= 2675.76 / 4 = 668.94 N
Braking torque per wheel, Tw = Ft * R
= Ft * 0.270
= 668.94 * 0.270 = 180.61 N-m
Effective rotor radius, Re = (Rotor Diameter² - Caliper Piston Diameter²)
= (0.240²) - (0.044²) = 0.0576 - 0.0019 = 0.0557 m
Braking torque on disc, Tb = Tw * Re
28
= 180.61 * 0.0557 = 10.06 N-m
4) Angular Velocity (ω):
v=π*D*N
33.33 = π * 0.540 * N
N = 33.33 / (π * 0.540) = 19.65 rps
ω = 2 * π * N = 2 * π * 19.65 = 123.45 rad/s
ω (deg/s) = 123.45 * 180 / π = 7073.74 deg/s
5) Heat Flux:
Heat generated = KE = 633206.7 J
Hg = md * Cp * Δt
633206.7 = 4.8 * 710 * Δt
Δt = 633206.7 / (4.8 * 710) = 185.80 °C
Final temperature: tf = Δt + ti = 185.80 + 25 = 210.8 °C
Power produced:
P = KE / t = 633206.7 / 5 = 126.64 kW
60% mass on front = 126.64 * 0.6 = 75.98 kW
Power on each front rotor = 75.98 / 2 = 37.99 kW
Contact area, A = 2 * π/4 * [(diameter rotor)² - (diameter rotor - diameter piston)²]
= 2 * π / 4 * [(0.211)² - (0.211 - 0.044)²] = 0.0275 m²
Heat flux = P / A = 37.99 / 0.0275 = 1381.45 kW/m²
29
Table 4.1 Comparison Between Cast Iron, Aluminum Silicon Carbide & Carbon-
Carbon Composite.
Aluminum Carbon-
S. Grey Cast Silicon Carbon
Property
No. Iron Carbide (Al- Composite
SiC) (C-C)
1 Mass of the Vehicle (kg) 1140 1140 1140
2 Top Speed (km/hr) 120 120 120
3 Wheel Diameter (mm) 540 540 540
4 Rim Diameter (mm) 304.8 304.8 304.8
5 Wheel Base (mm) 2360 2360 2360
6 Coefficient of Friction (µ) 0.7 0.51 0.45
7 Yield Tensile Strength (MPa) 142 162 150
1×10⁵
8 Young’s Modulus (N/mm²) (100,000) 1,06,475 70,000
9 Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) 54 120 20–30
10 Poisson’s Ratio 0.28 0.262 0.2
11 Specific Heat (J/kg·K) 586 790 710
Coefficient of Thermal
12 Expansion (α) (/°C) 8.1×10⁻⁶ 1.47×10⁻⁵ ~1.2×10⁻⁶
13 Kinetic Energy (J) 6,33,206.70 6,33,206.70 6,33,206.70
14 Maximum Frictional Force (N) 7,828.40 5,703.53 5,037.75
15 Deceleration of Vehicle (m/s²) 6.9 5.003 4.41
16 Time Taken to Stop (s) 5 6.66 7.93
17 Total Stopping Distance (m) 166.65 222.04 285.53
18 Tangential Braking Force (N) 3,837.61 2,852.28 2,517.33
Tangential Force on Each Wheel
19 (N) 959.4 713.07 629.33
Braking Torque on Each Wheel
20 (N·m) 259.03 192.52 169.34
21 Effective Rotor Radius (mm) 98 98 98
22 Braking Torque on Disc (N·m) 633 470.41 413.08
23 Clamping Force (N) 7,610 5,211.14 4,607.57
24 Velocity (V = πDN) (rps) 19.65 19.65 19.65
25 Angular Velocity (ω) (rad/s) 123.65 123.65 123.65
26 Heat Generated (J) 6,33,206.70 6,33,203.70 6,33,206.70
27 Temperature Rise (Δt) (°C) 225.11 192 ~180
28 Final Temperature (tf) (°C) 250.11 192 ~175–180
29 Power Dissipated (W) 126.64 95.08 79.8
30 Power at Each Front Rotor (kW) 19 14.26 11.96
31 Heat Flux (kW/m²) 138.18 138.18 Assumed same
Chapter: 5
30
Modelling of Disk Brake
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Figure 5.2 Plane selection
5.2 Terminology:
These terms appear throughout the Solid Works software and documentation as shown in the
figure 4.3.
• Origin: Appears as two blue arrows and represents the (0, 0, 0) coordinate of the
model. When a sketch is active, a sketch origin appears in red and represents the (0, 0,
0) coordinate of the sketch. You can add dimensions and relations to a model origin,
but not to a sketch origin
• Plane: Flat construction geometry. You can use planes for adding a 2D sketch, section
view of a model, or a neutral plane in a draft feature, for example. 20
• Axis: Straight line used to create model geometry, features, or patterns. You can
32
create an axis in different ways, including intersecting two planes. The Solid Works
application
• Face: Boundaries that help define the shape of a model or a surface. A face is a
Selectable area (planar or non-planar) of a model or surface. For example, a rectangular
solid has six faces.
• Edge: Location where two or more faces intersect and are joined together. You
can select edges for sketching and dimensioning, for example.
• Vertex: Point at which two or more lines or edges intersect. You can select vertices
sketching and dimensioning,
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1. Outer (Towards wheel hub)
o Diameter of Rotor Disc = 300 mm
o Thickness of Rotor = 22 mm
o Thickness of wheel hub = 21 mm
o Rotor Disc Original Height = 40 mm
o Centre hole (Bore Diameter) = 70 mm
o Diameter of Wheel hub = 155 mm
o No of bolt holes = 5 holes of 12.5 mm
o No of holes for ventilation = 5 holes of 4.5 mm.
34
Figure 5.6: Dimensions of Vents & holes.
35
Figure 4.5: Back View of Disc Rotor
Since brake disc or rotor is a crucial component from safety point of view, materials used
for brake systems should have stable and reliable frictional and wear. Nowadays Disc
Rotors are Being drilled to increase the cooling purpose and to provide more air to brake
and also reduce the wear and tear between brake pad and rotor.
Since the brake disc is made of material that undergoes friction during braking, a
significant amount of heat is generated. To manage this heat effectively, the disc has been
designed with ventilation slots or vents between its surfaces, allowing for better air
circulation and improved cooling performance. With the design phase now completed,
the analysis phase of the brake disc begins. Several simulation tasks will be carried out
using ANSYS, including thermal analysis to evaluate heat distribution and static
structural analysis to assess the stress and deformation under braking loads.
36
Chapter: 6
Analysis of Disc Rotor on ANSYS Workbench
In the current industrial scenario, there are many methods and material upgradation
underway of disk-brake progressing for the enrichment of capacity span of the brake
execution and analysis of the Disc Brake. The Analysis of the Disc Rotor is done using
the ANSYS Workbench (2024 R2) software.
6.1. Material selection in ANSYS Workbench.
ANSYS Workbench provides a robust material library that includes a wide range of
predefined engineering materials such as structural steels, cast iron, plastics, and some
standard composites. This library simplifies the process of assigning material
properties for simulation. However, for more specialized or advanced materials not
included by default, users have the flexibility to define custom materials by manually
entering their mechanical and thermal properties in the Engineering Data section.
For this project, three materials have been selected to perform a comparative analysis
based on their structural performance and thermal behavior:
1. Cast Iron (Traditional Material)
Cast iron is a conventional engineering material widely used in industrial
applications due to its good castability, wear resistance, and vibration damping
properties. Since it is available in ANSYS’s predefined material library, it can be
directly used without any additional data input.
2. Aluminum Silicon Carbide (Al-SiC) Metal Matrix Composite
Al-SiC is a lightweight metal matrix composite known for its superior mechanical
strength, improved wear resistance, and high thermal conductivity. It is typically
used in aerospace and automotive applications where weight reduction and high
performance are critical. As it is not available in the default ANSYS material
database, its physical and mechanical properties—such as:
o Young’s Modulus
o Poisson’s Ratio
o Density
o Ultimate Tensile Strength
o Thermal Conductivity must be sourced from reliable technical literature or
material handbooks and then manually added to the ANSYS Engineering
Data section.
3. Carbon-Carbon Composite – Advanced Composite Material
Carbon-Carbon composites are known for their extremely high thermal resistance,
low thermal expansion, and excellent mechanical properties at elevated
temperatures. These materials are commonly used in high-performance
37
applications such as aerospace, braking systems, and thermal shielding. Like Al-
SiC, Carbon-Carbon composites are not available in the default material library
and require manual entry of key properties, including:
o Elastic Modulus in fiber and matrix directions
o Poisson’s Ratios
o Density
o Shear Modulus
o Thermal Conductivity (anisotropic)
o Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
Table no. 6.1: Properties of the cast iron, Al-SiC & Carbon-Carbon Composite
Aluminu Carbon-
Cast
Property Unit m Silicon Carbon
Iron
Carbide Composite
Density kg/m³ 7200 2900 1600
Young's Modulus N/mm² 1,10,000 1,065.00 32,500
Convection Film
W/mm²·°C 0.001 0.001 0.001
Coefficient
The process of material property definition plays a crucial role in ensuring simulation
accuracy and reliability. Therefore, data must be carefully collected and validated
before being input into the software.
38
6.2 Meshing
Meshing is one of the most crucial steps in the analysis of the disc brake. It involves
discretizing the geometry into smaller elements over which governing equations are
approximated. These partitions convert the model into a finite number of elements for
simulation. Zone boundaries can either be left free to optimize mesh shape or fixed to
represent actual internal or external features. For 3D models used in Finite Element
Analysis (FEA), mesh elements typically include tetrahedra, pyramids, prisms, or
hexahedra.
The mesh generation process generally includes three key steps:
1. Defining element attributes
2. Setting mesh controls
3. Generating the mesh
From the figure, we observe that the majority of mesh elements are tetrahedral—three-
noded triangular elements. Similar meshing is applied to other models for consistency.
After assigning all necessary attributes, the simulation is performed by selecting the
required outputs and clicking the "Solve" option in ANSYS Workbench.
39
6.3 Thermal Analysis
A steady-state thermal analysis was conducted for both Grey Cast Iron and Aluminum
Silicon Carbide (AlSiC) and Carbon Carbon Carbon composite materials. This analysis
helps determine the heat flux and temperature distribution within the rotor.
The temperature in the rotors arises due to friction generated between the brake pads and
the disc during braking. Heat flux refers to the rate of heat energy transfer per unit area
over time. Higher heat flux values indicate greater heat transfer. In this thermal analysis,
we examined the temperature distribution, heat flux, and directional heat flux throughout
the rotor.
6.3.1 Thermal Analysis of Cast Iron
For the analysis of the grey cast iron, we have done the Steady state thermal analysis of
the disc rotor. In this analysis we have done the temperature distribution, heat flux
and directional heat flux.
40
Figure 6.3 Directional Heat Flux (X-axis) for Grey Cast Iron
41
Figure 6.5 Total Heat Flux for Aluminum Silicon Carbide
Figure 6.6 Directional Heat Flux (X-axis) for Aluminum Silicon Carbide
42
Figure 6.7 Temperature Distribution for Carbon Carbon Composite Material
Figure 6.8 Total Heat Flux for Carbon Carbon Composite Material
Figure 6.9 Directional Heat Flux (X-axis) for Carbon Carbon Composite Material
43
6.4 Structural Analysis
To simulate the structural effects of pressure and temperature on the disc rotor, a
geometry extrusion equal to the rotor's thickness was created and sliced to isolate the
load-affected surface. A Static Structural Analysis was conducted to evaluate the rotor's
mechanical response under applied boundary conditions.
The analysis involved the examination of:
Total Deformation
Equivalent (von-Mises) Stress
Equivalent Strain
This evaluation helps determine the structural behavior and integrity of the disc rotor
under braking conditions.
6.4.1 Structural Analysis of Grey Cast Iron
For Grey Cast Iron, a static structural simulation was performed on the disc rotor.
44
Figure 6.12 Equivalent Strain (Von-mises) for Grey Cast Iron
45
figure 6.14 Equivalent Stress (Von-mises) for Aluminium Silicon Carbide
46
Figure 6.15 Total Deformation for Carbon-Carbon Composite
47
This analysis provides critical insights into the deformation and stress distribution within
the rotor made from Grey Cast Iron, Aluminum Silicon Carbide and Carbon-Carbon
Composite, enabling comparison with the other two materials in terms of structural
behavior under identical loading and thermal conditions.
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Conclusion from ANSYS Analysis
Based on the comprehensive thermal and structural analysis performed using ANSYS, it
is evident that the material selection significantly influences the braking performance,
thermal resistance, and structural integrity of the disc rotor. Each of the three evaluated
materials—Grey Cast Iron, Aluminum Silicon Carbide, and Carbon-Carbon Composite—
has distinct characteristics, and their performance varies under simulated loading
conditions.
1. Thermal Performance:
Carbon-Carbon Composite exhibits the lowest temperature distribution (180.05 °C)
among the materials, indicating superior thermal stability. Its ability to manage and
dissipate heat effectively is further supported by the lowest total heat flux (33,810
W/m²) and directional heat flux (19,698 W/m²). This means the material resists
thermal build-up during high-speed braking, minimizing thermal fatigue and
cracking risk.
Aluminum Silicon Carbide performs better than Grey Cast Iron with a temperature
distribution of 192 °C, due to its higher thermal conductivity, but it still generates
more heat than Carbon-Carbon Composite.
Grey Cast Iron, commonly used in traditional braking systems, shows the highest
thermal values, with temperature peaking at 250.01 °C and total heat flux at 1.1514
× 10⁵ W/m², indicating poor thermal dissipation that may lead to brake fade during
prolonged usage.
2. Structural Performance:
The total deformation is lowest in Carbon-Carbon Composite (0.00018413 m),
showcasing its high stiffness and structural integrity under braking forces. This is
critical in maintaining the precision and reliability of the braking system under high
loads.
Equivalent stress is significantly reduced in Aluminum Silicon Carbide (4.094 ×
10⁶ Pa) compared to Grey Cast Iron (5.8422 × 10⁸ Pa), indicating better mechanical
performance under the same clamping force. However, Carbon-Carbon Composite
balances this well with a moderate stress value (4.1266 × 10⁷ Pa) while still offering
improved thermal properties.
The equivalent strain also supports these observations, where Carbon-Carbon
Composite records the lowest strain value (0.0013023 m/m), meaning it undergoes
the least deformation relative to its dimensions under loading—ideal for long-term
durability.
3. Overall Assessment:
Carbon-Carbon Composite clearly outperforms both Grey Cast Iron and
Aluminum Silicon Carbide across all measured parameters. It offers a balanced
combination of low temperature build-up, excellent thermal conductivity, minimal
deformation, and reduced mechanical stress/strain. These characteristics make it the
most suitable choice for high-performance braking systems, especially in sports
cars, aircraft, and racing applications.
Aluminum Silicon Carbide can be considered a viable mid-range alternative, with
better thermal and mechanical characteristics than Grey Cast Iron, but it does not
match the high-performance standards of Carbon-Carbon Composite.
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Grey Cast Iron, while traditionally used due to its cost-effectiveness and
machinability, is outperformed in almost every critical metric and is less suitable
for modern applications that demand high thermal and mechanical endurance.
50
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