Titanium brake rotors for bicycle 1

[mckeand13]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with brake rotors or any other braking application using titanium? I'd like to make some out of Ti but I'm not sure what grade. I'd also like to avoid surface treatment if possible. The stock rotors I have are stainless and I'm trying to figure out exactly what alloy they are.

Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[CoryPad]

Brake rotors are a wear-dependent product. Titanium, especially uncoated, has terrible wear properties. It is best if you search for another material.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[NickE]

A better material for your application might be a MMC...

Try finding BN or SiC particulate rienforced aluminium.

nick

 

[swall]

Duralcan makes SiC reinforced material with a base chemistry comparable to 6061.It has seen limited use in automtotive as brake rotors. Diamond tooling is required for machining, however.

 

[mckeand13]

Is is possible to cut any of the materials mentioned with a laser or more likely a waterjet?

It just sounds as though the mentioned materials will be expensive. What problems would I see if I try Titanium? Will the rotors wear or would they be harder on the pads than stainless rotors?

Thanks for all of the help so far!

Mike

 

[NickE]

Of course the materials are going to be expensive.. you want it all: Light weight, good wear resistance. I'm not really sure about the Ti and surface wear as a rotor... Also thermal conductivity is really important too... you wouldnt want to have a brake fade problem on the way down a long hill...



Nick
I love materials science!

 

[HiGroove]

MCKEAND13,

You may want to ask someone involved in racing. Try Wildwood Racing Brake Company. They make Titanium brake rotors for automotive brake racing applications.

HiGroove.