Thermal analysis of three motorcycle disc brakes

PurposeThe braking system on motorcycles is of vital importance, taking into account that its operation is based on the friction between the surfaces in the contact that are found heat and, therefore, the brake liquid, the thermoelastic deformation on the contact surface, the degradation and failure of the material, as can be attributed to the safety of the occupants. The purpose of this paper is to perform mathematical calculations regarding the phenomena of the transfer of heat generated in the brake system.Design/methodology/approachUsing SolidWorks simulation software, the geometric model of the three disc brakes of the different cylinders was carried out to identify the elements with the variations of the maximum temperature, and the verification with the calculations was made under ideal condition (80 Km/h and 12°C).FindingsThe results obtained show that with the mathematical calculations it was possible to validate the correct functioning of the braking system under different operating conditions, the systems that have higher capacity of displacement generate higher heat loss at higher speed so that their time of cooling according to Newton is major.Originality/valueThrough the analysis of finite elements, it was possible to identify that the braking system in severe working conditions is not overheated, assuring a natural convection cooling in approximately 12 min according to the mathematical calculations made.