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34 00... Reference sample catalog for assessing visual quality of carbon ceramic brake discs in new condition

Structure of a carbon ceramic brake disc:

  1. Ceramic friction layer
  2. Carbon carrier body
  3. Coolant duct

In order to guarantee the long service life of the ceramic brake disc, the carrier body is coated with a separate friction layer. The friction layer is glued on by means of a special joining paste. In siliconization, firm bonding is the result.

The carrier body and the friction layer are based on different mixtures/formulas. Consequently, there are also differences in the visual appearance of the two components.

G09915140Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Relaxation structure: 

Due to the different material composition of friction layer and carrier body, the friction surfaces are covered with a noncritical relaxation structure (even in new condition). Individual relaxation cracks sometimes line the perforation bores.

The relaxation structure emerges in production outgoing from the brake disc surface and does not present a safety hazard. Neither is there any risk of large-scale chipping of the friction layers from the carrier body because thanks to the relaxation structure, the friction layers are almost free of residual stress.

G09915129Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The relaxation structure is sometimes clearly visible in new condition and can be significantly different on side of the brake disc chamber and the opposite side.

Thus, the brake disc is OK

Rough surfaces in the coolant duct: 

The surfaces (1) in the coolant duct have a different structure. The coolant ducts are not machined and have a rough structure because of this.

Thus, the brake disc is OK

G09915142Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Traces of machining: 

The surface of the ceramic brake disc reflects the way is which it was ground. The cross or spiral pattern (see arrows in illustration) generated depending on the type of the grinding process has no influence of the performance of the component.

Thus, the brake disc is OK

G09915143Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pores in the carrier body: 

Due to the carbon fibers used at a defined length of 10 mm without short-fiber share, visible pores are created in the carrier body during the production process. These pores have no negative influence on the function of the carbon ceramic brake disc.

E.g

  1. Pores at the screw connection of the brake disc chamber
  2. Pores on the rim surface of the brake disc
G09915144Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Possible surface defects on the brake disc: 

Defects at perforation bores 

  1. Brake disc OK
  2. Brake disc not OK -> clustered chippings
G09915145Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Brake disc not OK

-> Clustered chippings (3 or more bores on each side)

G09915146Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Nature Perforation bore with edge chippings
Remarks Edges expanded by edge chippings
Compliance criterion No chipped edges at perforation bore
Chippings are still permissible if they:
  • Do not extend > 3 mm from the edge of the bore
  • End within the friction layer
  • Do not cluster (3 or more adjacent bores)
Maximum number 20 affected bores on each side
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component

Defects in the friction layer: 

Friction layer chipping: 

Illustration (A): Brake disc OK

Illustration (B): Brake disc not OK

G09915147Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Nature Chipping from the friction layer
Remarks none
Compliance criterion No chippings
Chippings are still permissible if they:
  • End in the friction layer
  • Are not > 2 x 2 mm
Maximum number 1 chipping per side
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component

Separation of friction layer: 

Brake disc with separation of friction layer (1) -> brake disc not OK

G09915149Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Nature Separation of friction layer
Remarks Gap between friction layer and carrier body
Compliance criterion No separation of friction layer permissible
Maximum number -
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, lock component

Friction layer not completely machined: 

Brake disc (see illustration), not OK

Nature Friction layer and edge not completely machined
Remarks None
Compliance criterion Complete, uniform machining of the surface
Maximum number - -
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component
G09915150Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Chipped edges at the outer diameter of the friction ring: 

Brake disc, see illustration, OK

G09915152Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Brake disc, see illustration, not OK

G09915153Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Nature Chipped edges at the outer diameter of the friction ring
Remarks Irregular outer contour because of material and processing characteristics of the friction layer or
Damage due to improper handling of the brake disc
Compliance criterion No edge damage
Damage is still permissible if:
  • Maximum length of damage: 10 mm (x)
  • Maximum width of damage: 3 mm (y)
  • Maximum depth of damage: 3 mm (z)
Maximum number 1 per side
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component

Chipped edge in the area of the ridge: 

Brake disc, see illustration, not OK

Nature Chipped edge in the area of the ridge
Remarks None
Compliance criterion No chipped edges
Damage is still permissible if:
  • Outside the nut contact surface with an area ≥ 25 mm2
Maximum number 5 connection areas with chipping
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component
G09915154Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Radial cracks at the inner diameter of the brake disc ring 

Brake disc, see illustration, OK

Nature Radial cracks at the inner diameter of the brake disc ring
Remarks As a consequence of residual stress in the brake disc ring, radial cracks can emerge
Compliance criterion Damage is still permissible if:
  • The maximum length of the cracks is up to 10 mm
Maximum number 5 cracks are permissible
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component
G09915155Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cracks at the ridge transition: 

Brake disc or, respectively, cracks (1) in the ridge area

Brake disc, see illustration, OK

G09915156Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Brake disc:

Crack (dimension A) in the ridge area > 20 mm depth -> brake disc not OK

G09915157Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Nature Cracks in the ridge transition
Remarks As a consequence of residual stress in the brake disc ring, radial cracks can emerge
Compliance criterion Damage is still permissible if:
  • Continuous cracks at the ridge ≤ dimension [A] 20 mm depth
Maximum number Maximum of 10 cracks per component
No more than 5 adjacent cracks
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component

Residual phosphate in the coolant duct and perforation bores/contamination at the ZSB 

Illustration (A) and (B) -> brake disc not OK

G09915158Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Brake discs, see illustration, not OK!

  1. Perforation bore
  2. Contamination at the ZSB
Nature Residual phosphate in the coolant duct or perforation bore
Remarks Coolant duct: no residual phosphate in the coolant duct or perforation bore:
  • Clear diameter min. 3 mm
  • Restriction circular or sickle-shaped
  • Restriction 2 mm below the surface

    No contamination at the ZSB

Compliance criterion Coolant duct: no perforation bore: 20 per side
Maximum number Maximum of 10 cracks per component
No more than 5 adjacent cracks
Assessment OK if criteria are complied with
Measures If not OK, do not install component
G09915159Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.