Powerbrake™ Product News
Caliper upgrade options for extreme temperature applications
Powerbrake has released two caliper upgrade options designed to substantially slow heat transfer to the caliper body, brake fluid and seals under extreme duty track day and race applications.
The first, and more cost effective, upgrade option consists of four stainless steel plates that line the inside walls of the caliper body. In addition to the fact that stainless steel has relatively poor conductive properties, the stainless steel plates are polished to a mirror finish in order to reflect radiant heat emanating from the pad backing plates, which are positioned only millimeters away from the caliper body. When compared to the dark grey surface finish that is standard on most race calipers, the stainless mirror plates substantially reduce the amount of radiant heat that is absorbed by caliper body. Since the stainless mirror plates are a fairly cost effective upgrade option, we highly recommend their use for any form of track day or race application. All Powerbrake calipers produced from October 2008 onwards are drilled and tapped to accept the plates.
It is worth mentioning at this point that most street and many race calipers on the market today are supplied with aluminium pistons, which cost less to produce but conduct heat far quicker than stainless steel pistons and are also a lot less durable. Many caliper manufacturers do offer stainless steel pistons as an upgrade option at substantial extra cost. All Powerbrake calipers are delivered with heavy-duty, scalloped, stainless steel pistons as standard fitment (see pictures above). This represents considerable added value for our customers.
As a second upgrade option, for extreme temperature applications, Powerbrake has released its new 2-piece, Thermal-Barrier™ pistons. The cutting-edge piston design consists of inner and outer pistons that are separated by an air gap that runs two thirds the length of the piston side-wall. The inner piston also features a stepped inner wall that substantially increases surface area as well as a scalloped pad contact face to allow super-heated air to escape from the piston cup area. The Thermal-Barrier™ pistons have shown substantial reductions in conductive heat transfer from pad backing plates to the caliper body, brake fluid and seals.
Extensive back-to-back tests have shown the combination of stainless steel mirror plates and Powerbrake Thermal-Barrier™ pistons to deliver a minimum 25% reduction in heat transfer from pad backing plate to caliper, resulting in improved seal life, reduced risk of brake fluid boiling, reduced caliper flex and improved brake consistency. Although Powerbrake’s Thermal-Barrier™ pistons do weigh more than our standard pistons, we highly recommend their use in extreme temperature applications.
For more information – contact us.
