Why carbon-ceramic brakes Are so expensive. Here’s Why


If you’re a car enthusiast, then you know that carbon-ceramic brakes are the best of the best. They offer superior performance and braking power, and they last a lot longer than traditional brake pads. But one question that many people ask is why they are so expensive.

They’re so expensive because it takes a long time and lots of effort to make them. Each brake disc can take up about one month’s worth of work, with the best part being just for production.

The carbon fiber and silicon resin mix are put into molds under 20Kg of pressure at 200 degrees Celsius before being cooled. 

The final product has been heated again over two days to 1000°F for another 24 hours – this time with vacuum applied!

This process transforms the raw ingredients around carbon fibers into silica carbide ceramic, which provides durability and longevity.

Advantages over metal discs

  • Significant weight saving
  • Much longer part life.
  • Wider temperature tolerance
  • Increased stopping power

While carbon-ceramic brakes are more expensive, they last much longer and can be an advantage on the track. 

The average upgrade costs around £10-15k for a supercar – so if you take your vehicle out often, it might not even have been worth purchasing in comparison.

When it comes to brakes, you get what you pay for. Carbon-ceramic is superior in almost every way, and although once rare reserved only the most exotic of vehicles, they’ve found their way onto some pretty common varieties like cars or motorcycles – just so long as there’s a willing buyer.

The manufacturing process behind carbon-ceramic brakes

You may be wondering why carbon-ceramic brakes cost so much. The process of making them is extravagant, but it’s worth every penny in performance and durability.

Working with a team of skilled technicians, production workers carefully pour the raw materials into molds to create brake discs. 

The process doesn’t only rely on machines. A worker receives their half-filled mold and then installs ventilation channels in them by installing slotted belts along with aluminum cores which become populated via an automated machine slotting system for each part made from this mixable material.

When the mold is filled with plastic-infused carbon fiber, it’s pressed and heated to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. The process transforms this material into something that can be brakes or even parts for cars.

Workers extract the disc, and a computer-controlled machine drills ventilation holes before they back into heat for two days. 

The plastic becomes carbon during this chemical process, but it’s not too much work any more than when we started!

When the brake gets its final layer, it goes back into an oven for 24 hours. Low suction is applied at 3K degrees Fahrenheit to force material into place.

Are carbon-ceramic brakes worth it?

They last longer, tolerate a wider range of temperatures, and are fadeless as they heat up. As for full carbon-ceramic brakes -they offer little or no wear, which is great news if you plan on driving your car every day.

The downside to this is that they can be more expensive than other brake pads. 

However, ceramic brakes have some upsides that make them worth considering for certain drivers, such as reduced noise and dust production and greater durability in high temperatures or extreme ranges where it may not always work out well with other materials like iron on top if you live somewhere hot year-round.

The pros of carbon-ceramic brakes are that they last longer on the street but still wear down during repeated racetrack use. Porsche had to stop claiming its brake could stand up against high temperatures and moisture.

Brake pads are an important component in protecting your vehicle’s brakes from wear. Ceramic brake pad materials offer higher temperatures than others, but they’re not as good at low temperatures and have worse performance.

Benefits Of Carbon Ceramic Brakes

Brake Fade Resistance

With the ability to maintain high temperatures, carbon-ceramic brakes are less susceptible than traditional iron or steel varieties. 

This means that you won’t experience any brake fade when driving your car in hot weather.

The carbon-ceramic brakes on your car are excellent at dissipating friction heat, so you can take a downhill curve without worrying that they’ll reach an excessively high temperature and fail. 

They provide steady performance, whether racing around the track or taking tight hairpin turns with cliffs in between!

Durability

When it comes to durability, ceramic composite brake discs are far superior to their iron counterparts. 

They’re tough and highly resistant to wear, which means you can rely on these pads for years without having any issues with them going out in the middle of your ride.

Why settle for conventional cast iron or even steel disc when you can have one that lasts 60,000 miles? Carbon ceramic is much more durable and will last the lifetime of your vehicle.

Many people are under the impression that their carbon-ceramic brake discs will last for eternity if they don’t abuse them. 

However, there’s no hard rule on how long these parts can withstand before failure sets in – it all depends upon your driving habits.

Cleaner Brakes

The conventional cast-iron brake rotor or steel rotors are known for generating lots of dust, which then clings onto your vehicle’s wheels.

The downside to carbon-ceramic brakes is that they’re highly resistant to abrasion, and even if your brake rotor did start wearing, the dust released would just get blown away as you drive on.

Lightness

Their lightweight, carbon-ceramic brakes are perfect for mountain bikers.

Mountain biking can involve lots of steep hills and long distances with frequent stops to get back on track – this is where you’ll appreciate having an advantage in power from your pedals.

Car owners will love the way their car handles with these new, high-technology brakes. These carbon-ceramic units reduce unsprung weight and improve handling to give you a smoother driving experience.

Downsides Of Carbon Ceramic Brakes

They’re Expensive

Carbon ceramic brakes may be the most expensive disc brake, but they also offer unparalleled stopping power. For example, upgrading your Porsche 911 Turbo with PCCB can cost over $21K.

Ceramic discs are considerably more costly than steel or cast iron ones–up to 15-times as much in some cases, which means there’s no point saving money on cheap parts if you want something really good under heavy use.

When it comes to brake discs, the best material is carbon-ceramic. This high-quality composite requires more effort and time in manufacturing than steel or cast iron but delivers a much greater performance benefit for your car’s needs as well.

Spongy Feel

Carbon-ceramic brakes are great for stopping your car quickly, but they can feel spongy when you first start using them. 

This usually happens because the brake discs or rotors are cold and haven’t been warmed up yet.

However, those new to carbon-ceramic brakes which feel spongy when pushing on the brake lever may want to consider other options.

Jim Harmer

I am Jim Harmer and I am in love with the outdoors. I share all the information I know on all activities I like doing in my home in this website. You are welcome to read and reach out for more information.

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