Friction brakes use rubbing to reduce movement and stop a car. They come in two types: drum and disc. Hydraulic pressure is used to activate the brakes, and newer cars use electric braking. Disc brakes are more efficient at handling heat and are used on the front wheels of many cars.
The term friction brake applies to anything that uses a braking system that involves friction. Friction, the act of two elements rubbing against each other, reduces movement and is one of the factors involved in the operation of the brakes. Cars use some form of friction brake, combined with other methods, to help them stop when the driver presses the brake pedal. Part of the brake presses against the wheels and the friction of the two rubbing surfaces eventually causes the wheels to slow down and stop spinning. A friction brake falls into one of two categories: drum or disc.
In a car with disc brakes, force is applied to the outside of a disc located in the middle of the wheel. This force slows the wheel until it stops. Pressing the brake pedal harder creates more friction and pressure against the wheel, thus bringing you to a stop faster. Today’s cars feature an electric braking system that uses a hydraulic system, known as electric braking, and friction to stop the car. Older cars did not have electric braking and were harder to stop and had slower response times.
When the driver presses the brake pedal of a car, it sends hydraulic pressure to a set of pistons which the force pushes out. Hydraulic pressure simply refers to the use of liquid under pressure to move parts of the car. Hydraulic pressure on the pistons pushes them against a set of brake pads, and the brake pads in turn push against the rotor to stop their movement. Disc brakes are common on the front wheels of cars, and many cars use disc brakes for all four wheels.
Drum brakes are the second type of friction brake, and they use a slightly different approach to stop the car. Hydraulic pressure is activated by the brake pedal and pushes a cylinder located in the wheels. The cylinder bosses are forced out and press on a set of brake shoes. The brake shoes are pushed against a metal drum inside the wheel which slows their movement. Whereas disc brakes apply force on the outside of a rotor, drum brakes apply force on the inside of a drum.
These systems combine the use of friction braking with the hydraulic system and can even incorporate other systems as well. The goal when designing an efficient braking system is to create one that responds quickly, doesn’t lock up, and produces the least amount of heat when used. The heat released by friction must be gradually released from the car. Too much heat can cause problems and complications when the system can no longer deal with the excess temperature.
While today’s cars can use both types of friction brake systems, disc brakes are considered the best in terms of how they handle heat. Heat is more easily released, helping to prevent overheating. Overheating can cause the brakes to not respond as quickly as they should. Newer cars use all disc brake systems or disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear.
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