Brake Disks - Special Coating Increases Abrasion Resistance
An outstanding and unusual example of the sophisticated engineering applications of the metal spraying process is provided by the treatment of the brake discs for the B.S.A. Triumph Motorcycle, which won the Daytona 200 mile race in America.
The functionally beautiful triple cylinder machines have twin disc brakes at the front, which, according to development engineer Doug Hele ‘are the most fantastic brakes on any motorcycle!’ They need to be able to stop 164 Kg (360lbs) of motorbike plus rider from speeds up to 160 mph. A further accolade from Percy Tait who said, after a test run, ‘these brakes are better in the wet than any brakes I have previously used in dry conditions!
’Metallisation come into the picture by applying a special surface deposit on the brake disc, which is made of light alloy to save weight. The deposit has been specially formulated to provide both the necessary abrasion resistance to give braking grip, and also to provide good heat conductivity to aid cooling of the discs under the harsh braking conditions. A unique method of Arc spraying provides the required properties, and this method of treatment has been established after many years of research and development carried out by the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co. Ltd., member of the Automotive Products Group in association with the Technical Department of Metallisation.
