brake tech question
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
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From: college station
brake tech question For a senior design project, we're looking to use a brake caliper from an automotive application to adapt to our system. What i need to know is the maximum pressure capacity of a stock brake caliper, or the maximum clamping force. Knowing one, i can find the other. If this helps, i'm thinking the pressure will be the same (at least for the front brakes) throughout the brake system. So if anyone knows the pressure at the master cylinder that would be a good start also.
normal brake fluid pressure is 1000-1500 psi at the caliper, so i would guess they should be able to handle up to 2000 psi no problem.
I would ask manufacturers of the calipers, or people like wilwood or baer, to get more reliable numbers. It will probably differ for an aluminum versus steel caliper. If I had to guess, I would compare it to a scuba air cylinder for material thickness and strength and those hold from 2200 to 3600 psi of air so a stock caliper might be ok to over 3000 psi.
I would not look for maximum clamping force to base your decision on, because that won't necessarily tell you what the caliper housing can hold before letting go.
I would ask manufacturers of the calipers, or people like wilwood or baer, to get more reliable numbers. It will probably differ for an aluminum versus steel caliper. If I had to guess, I would compare it to a scuba air cylinder for material thickness and strength and those hold from 2200 to 3600 psi of air so a stock caliper might be ok to over 3000 psi.
I would not look for maximum clamping force to base your decision on, because that won't necessarily tell you what the caliper housing can hold before letting go.
Pressure multiplied by the total surface areas of the pistons will give you the clamping force. So, to change your force, you can toggle the pressure or the piston surface are of the particular caliper you are using.
Excellent question! ... I'm now curious as well.
I found this ...
http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3154A0A0.aspx
The adaptors would allow you to retrieve real world numbers at about any location and the cost is not a whole lot.
I found this ...
http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3154A0A0.aspx
The adaptors would allow you to retrieve real world numbers at about any location and the cost is not a whole lot.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: college station
normal brake fluid pressure is 1000-1500 psi at the caliper, so i would guess they should be able to handle up to 2000 psi no problem.
I would ask manufacturers of the calipers, or people like wilwood or baer, to get more reliable numbers. It will probably differ for an aluminum versus steel caliper. If I had to guess, I would compare it to a scuba air cylinder for material thickness and strength and those hold from 2200 to 3600 psi of air so a stock caliper might be ok to over 3000 psi.
I would not look for maximum clamping force to base your decision on, because that won't necessarily tell you what the caliper housing can hold before letting go.
I would ask manufacturers of the calipers, or people like wilwood or baer, to get more reliable numbers. It will probably differ for an aluminum versus steel caliper. If I had to guess, I would compare it to a scuba air cylinder for material thickness and strength and those hold from 2200 to 3600 psi of air so a stock caliper might be ok to over 3000 psi.
I would not look for maximum clamping force to base your decision on, because that won't necessarily tell you what the caliper housing can hold before letting go.
I was thinking if a manufacturer posted the maximum clamping force of the caliper that would give me a rough estimate of the system pressure. However, with safety factors involved, the calipers are propably capable of higher pressures than the hydraulic system in a car can produce.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: college station
Excellent question! ... I'm now curious as well.
I found this ...
http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3154A0A0.aspx
The adaptors would allow you to retrieve real world numbers at about any location and the cost is not a whole lot.
I found this ...
http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3154A0A0.aspx
The adaptors would allow you to retrieve real world numbers at about any location and the cost is not a whole lot.
Your line pressure is going to be the same everywhere in the system, assuming that you are measuring the front and rear separately and you don't have anything like ABS modules or proportioning valves in the way. Master cylinder pressure from the front output port = front caliper pressure.
That gauge is rated to 3ksi in the description in the link. There is a disclaimer that product may vary next to the picture. Must be a stock photo.
That gauge is rated to 3ksi in the description in the link. There is a disclaimer that product may vary next to the picture. Must be a stock photo.
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I was thinking if a manufacturer posted the maximum clamping force of the caliper that would give me a rough estimate of the system pressure. However, with safety factors involved, the calipers are propably capable of higher pressures than the hydraulic system in a car can produce.
Not surprised clamping force isn't published. In a braking application, the pad size/material impacts performance in addition to clamping force. But - if you know the pressure you are giving the caliper, you can calculate the force with a ruler and 3rd grade math.
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Verdad Gallardo Your line pressure is going to be the same everywhere in the system, assuming that you are measuring the front and rear separately and you don't have anything like ABS modules or proportioning valves in the way. Master cylinder pressure from the front output port = front caliper pressure.
That gauge is rated to 3ksi in the description in the link. There is a disclaimer that product may vary next to the picture. Must be a stock photo.
That gauge is rated to 3ksi in the description in the link. There is a disclaimer that product may vary next to the picture. Must be a stock photo.
I would think the pressure would be the same throughout the system, regardless of any ABS module or prop valve.
Those devices alter fluid movement, not pressure, right?
technically they alter both. The goal is to reduce brake fluid pressure going to the caliper, which reduces caliper clamping force and stops the wheel from skidding. In order to reduce brake fluid pressure, you have to remove a small amount of fluid.
there's a few different types of abs modulators, they all work the same way in that they reduce line pressure to the calipers to undo wheel lockup, the differences is in what they do with the fluid. off top of my head one of the big differences are the abs units that handle only rear (drum) brakes versus the units that do 4-wheel abs. i'm sure google on abs modulators would explain it pretty good.
there's a few different types of abs modulators, they all work the same way in that they reduce line pressure to the calipers to undo wheel lockup, the differences is in what they do with the fluid. off top of my head one of the big differences are the abs units that handle only rear (drum) brakes versus the units that do 4-wheel abs. i'm sure google on abs modulators would explain it pretty good.
You might also want to look into Race Car Vehicle Dynamics by Milliken and Milliken. They have a great brake section, as do the 6th and 7th editions of the Bosch Automotive Handbook. They are both amazing reference/design aids.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 121
Likes: 5
From: FL
I plan to run the 4 piston Brembo calipers from a 6th gen V6 Camaro for this reason. I didn't want to increase pedal effort and have no need for a 6 piston. I also prefer 17" wheels on a primarily street driven car and these fit under stock wheels from what I understand.
