At TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk we’re often reporting on carmakers’ efforts to make their vehicles lighter in a bid to drive down emissions and boost fuel economy. However, few innovations are quite as successful as the latest offering from Michigan-based REL Inc.
The developer of transportation and aerospace components has teamed up with the Polytechnic Institute of New York University and developed an aluminium composite brake rotor for cars that could weigh as much as 60 per cent less than today’s iron rotors – all while tripling life expectancy.
Having picked up a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation as part of its Phase I Small Business Innovation Research Grant, REL set about creating a composite brake that would not be prohibitively expensive – previously composite brakes have been limited to high performance sports cars, motorcycles and race cars due to their expense.
According to REL, the brake rotor has three functional zones: a venting zone, a friction interface and a mounting hub – with each needing their own material attributes to function properly.
Most of today’s brakes are made from cast iron, which adds strength, but is also highly expensive. So the team will replace the traditional rotor material with a high temperature aluminium alloy that is reinforced with ceramic particles and fibres and creates a lightweight but durable material.
Now they hope that the composite motor they have created will shave around 30lbs from a mid-size saloon car. In addition, the composite rotors may also be used by military fleets. It is hoped that a functional prototype will be available within 12months.
