Typical brake pad pressure (maximum)

[project90]

Hey everyone

Question about brake pressure (not brake pedal pressure). Typically, what would the maximum pressure on the brake rotor by the brake pad be?

This is for a mechanical engineering project

many thanks niconauts

edit: for stock 240sx front brakes. I read Asad's bit on brake torque and balance, but it does not show what units the force is in. N? kN?

[IanS]

Hmm, Ive never though about it.

There are two ways to figure it out.

First you could go math crazy, take the amount of pressure applied to the pedal. Multiply by the size differential in the booster, then multiply again based on the difference between the size of the master cylinder and the piston within the brake caliper. This should give you a rough idea of pedal pressure in relation to actual brake force.

The easier solution would be to remove a caliper, stick a force meter between the piston and the claw, then push on the pedal like crazy. Granted you would need a force meter.

I guess Im of no help.

[Budget240sx]

I am a senior M.E. student and spent some time working with brakes so this may be of help. Without actually measureing the force of the caliper I can tell you how to get to the final pressure. If memory serves me the way it should the typical line pressure that a person will generate under mild stopping conditions between 500 and 800 PSI( you can convert) with that you will have to multiiply by the area of the piston, and then divide by the surface area of the pad. You will have to assume uniforn pressure, even though it is not. You will also have to assume that the pads and fluid are not compressing(wich they do). Unfortunatly there are alot of other variables that contribute to these numbers (brake bias, booster assist, master cylinder size...ect). I hope this helps