According to Bridgestone Tire, ceramic brake pads do offer some benefits even when used with ‘traditional’ rotors. They create less dust and are quieter than organic or metallic pads. According to TireRack, they also have a much longer lifespan, can withstand a wider variety of temperatures, and fade less when they warm up.
According to Autotrader, complete carbon-ceramic brakes also have negligible fade and lengthy service lifetimes. And because they contain little to no metal, they don’t rust, if at all. They weigh far less than the identical metal-based assembly, which is probably just as crucial, according to CarBibles. Because to the decreased unsprung weight, the handling, ride comfort, steering, and even fuel efficiency are all improved.
There are a few drawbacks, despite these advantages. First off, even though carbon-ceramic brakes have a longer theoretical lifespan on the road, they nonetheless lose effectiveness quickly when used repeatedly on a racetrack. Enough, according to Autoblog, that Porsche had to cease saying its brakes could “‘last practically for the life of the automobile.
Secondly, AutoGuide notes that while ceramic brake pads and rotors can withstand greater temperatures, they perform less well at lower temperatures. According to Road & Track, different brake pads operate best at certain temperatures. Additionally, ceramic pads perform poorer at cool temperatures despite having better heat-fade resistance. For them to function properly, they actually need to warm up a little.
The cost of carbon-ceramic brakes is also substantially higher than that of steel, iron, or organic brakes. The basic pads, for instance, cost $182.30 at SuncoastParts as of this writing for a 991.2-gen 911. The price of the ceramic ones is $510 as of this writing. According to Motor1, a Porsche spokesman actually advises regular track racers to continue with the company’s steel rotors. Despite being heavier, they offer less expensive braking performance than their lighter counterparts.
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Heavy brakers and trackday champions purchase the incorrect brakes.
Brake discs made of carbon ceramic are quite pricey. That is common knowledge. Although a technical specialist for Porsche suggests (contrary to a response from a Porsche spokeswoman) that it may be wiser to give them a swerve if you’re enthusiastic about trackdays or are just particularly forceful on the brakes, optioning them onto a new 911 Carrera S would cost you $18,770.
If you play in club days, we always advise using iron discs since heat buildup will weaken the carbon fibers in the disc.
This goes against what most people believe to be the USP of carbon discs, which is their ability to take a beating while being repeatedly heated without experiencing brake fade. Additionally, they have a very lengthy lifespan.
Watson laughed when questioned about the PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake) discs’ lifespan and declined to be dragged into making predictions about how long they would last.
At the 992 launch event at Tailem Bend, he said, “We learnt that lesson a long time ago. “When we first introduced the discs, we told people they’d practically last for the life of the car, but people were participating in several trackdays and reporting to us that they had worn them out,” he said.
Therefore, even if reducing unsprung weight at each corner and other dynamic benefits are evident, we questioned who the target market for carbon ceramic brakes was.
Because of the reduced unsprung weight, they added, “Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) offer greater benefits in terms of braking performance and handling and are thus the preferred braking option for many Porsche drivers.”
“Drivers who frequently drive their Porsche on a circuit, such as amateur racers, may choose to use our steel brakes because they still provide incredibly great stopping power and are less expensive to maintain.”
Additional Braking Technology Explanations
However, carbon ceramic brakes have a definite performance advantage. The significant drop in unsprung weight will undoubtedly improve lap times. With that stated, if you plan to take it to the track for some weekend fun, don’t expect your brakes to survive very long.
“Yes, if you use your brakes harshly, ceramic discs can deteriorate. The carbon fibers in the disc will deteriorate with increased heat, hence iron discs are always advised on club days “Watson stated.
Naturally, we’re a little taken aback, and we assume the interviewer from Which Car felt the same way. We were left wondering what the carbon ceramic brakes’ original intended purpose had been. Who is the renowned PCCB option from Porsche’s target market? That was Which Car’s follow-up query, so it appears that they had the same sentiment.
People who don’t like to clean their wheels, Watson remarked. It is advantageous that they don’t cause brake dust to accumulate.
It is fairly obvious that Watson does not like carbon ceramic brakes.
With this fresh information, which is really direct from the source, we can undoubtedly get why.
Porsche has made a name for itself by entering its cars in racing competitions and succeeding. It appears that carbon ceramic brakes are not one of those high-performance upgrades that often make road-going sports cars better.
Carbon Ceramic Brakes: What Are They?
Disc brakes are commonly used on production cars. They function by applying pressure to the opposite sides of a disc (also known as a rotor) that is located inside each wheel, creating enough friction to limit the rotation of the tires.
Cast iron is typically used to make brake discs since it is both affordable and somewhat durable. Usually constructed of a combination of metals, brake pads can also occasionally contain organic materials like rubber and fiberglass. The rough surface of the brake pads generates nearly all of the friction needed for braking.
The discs of carbon ceramic brakes are produced from a totally different material using an intricate technique, yet they operate using the same mechanism as conventional disc brakes. Carbon ceramic brake discs are made of a composite material rather than cast iron or steel. Small grains of carbon fiber are fired into silicon resin before it is molded into the shape of a brake disc. Radial cooling vents are added through the addition of regular holes. Then it is subjected to extreme heat and pressure, changing it from a resin to a plastic. The disc is then cooled with water before being heated once more. It takes a few days for the material to heat up to 1,700 degrees Celsius and change into silicon carbide, which is its ultimate state. The disc is coated before it is installed in an automobile to prevent oxidation in the high temperatures it will likely encounter.
Typically, the entire production process takes 20 days. The high cost of carbon ceramic brakes is due to this aspect as well as the enormous amount of energy needed to continually heat the composite components to high temperatures.
Compared to steel or iron discs, carbon ceramic discs are very robust and durable due to their tough, diamond-like crystalline structure. For usage in planes like the Concord, they were initially created in the 1970s. They were also employed for Formula One cars and trains by the end of the decade once it was realized that they were suitable for other uses. The Porsche 911 GT2 was the first production vehicle to have carbon ceramic brakes, and it debuted in 2001.
Is purchasing ceramic brakes worthwhile?
Ceramic plates and ceramics are formed of a type of ceramic that is quite similar to the substance used to make ceramic brake pads. However, ceramic brake pad material is far more dense and robust. Fine copper fibers are also included into ceramic brake pads to aid improve their heat conductivity and friction.
Ceramic brake pads have gained popularity steadily since its creation in the middle of the 1980s for a number of reasons:
- Noise-Level: When the brakes are used, ceramic brake pads make very little additional noise.
- Ceramic brake pads tend to produce less dust and other debris as they deteriorate than organic brake pads do.
- Temperature & Driving Circumstances: Ceramic brake pads can be more dependable in a wider variety of temperatures and driving conditions when compared to organic brake pads.
However, there are significant drawbacks to ceramic brake pads. First and foremost, their price: Compared to other types of brake pads, ceramic brake pads are often the most expensive due to greater manufacturing costs. Additionally, more of the heat produced by braking will pass through the brake pads and into the remainder of the braking system because copper and ceramic cannot absorb as much heat as other types of materials. Other braking parts may see increased wear and tear as a result. Last but not least, ceramic brake pads are widely regarded as the best option for arduous driving conditions. If you have to choose between semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads because of the impending race or really cold conditions, you should choose metallic.
Porsche brakes are they ceramic?
The Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB) blends a ceramic covering with a gray cast iron brake disk. Even when the car isn’t driven for a long time, the brake system’s appealing white calipers include brake disks with strong corrosion resistance. Wheels and a brake system remain cleaner for a longer period of time as a result of the large reduction in brake dust accumulation.
What are the prices of Porsche carbon ceramic brakes?
Contrary to popular belief, Porsche has acknowledged that certain situations aren’t appropriate for its pricey carbon ceramic brakes, so some owners may want to continue with the stock iron discs.
In the past ten years or so, carbon ceramic brakes have grown in popularity and are suitable for track use since they can withstand numerous heating cycles without deteriorating. They deteriorate over time and are incredibly pricey.
Paul Watson, a seasoned technical representative for Porsche Australia, stated during the recent unveiling of the 992-generation Porsche 911 that the automaker advises iron discs for those who enjoy track days.
“Yes, if you use your brakes harshly, ceramic discs can deteriorate. The carbon fibers in the disc will deteriorate with increased heat, hence iron discs are always advised on club days “said Watson.
Watson said that Porsche first claimed customers they would last longer than they actually do when asked how long a pair of Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake discs should last.
“That is a lesson we have long since learnt. People were participating in numerous trackdays and reporting to us that they had worn out the discs when we initially introduced them, despite our assurances that they would last practically the whole life of the vehicle “he declared.
Watson claims that because carbon ceramic brakes “don’t leave a build-up of brake dust,” Porsche’s target market for these brakes is individuals who dislike cleaning their wheels.
A set of carbon ceramic brakes for a 911 from the 992 generation will cost $8,520. The PCCBs were a $9,210 add-on for the 911 GT3 from the prior generation. The hardcore version of which, by the way, should be available for you to enjoy on the track as well.
Therefore, before you go crazy with the options list, keep in mind that iron discs are the way to go if you don’t mind cleaning your wonderful alloys, and spending an additional $8.5k for PCCBs is not advisable if you plan to drive your Porsche to the track. It’s been warned that you.
How many miles are the brakes on a Porsche ceramic?
Compared to standard iron rotors, ceramic composite brake discs are strong and extremely resistant to wear.
Unlike carbon ceramic rotors, which can last over 100,000 miles or even outlive your car, typical cast iron discs or iron rotors may only last up to 60,000 miles.
How long a carbon ceramic disc will survive, however, is not something that can be determined with absolute certainty. For instance, if you have a history of aggressive driving, your carbon ceramic brake disc may not last as long.
How long do Porsche’s carbon-ceramic brakes last?
Brembo once touted the 100,000-mile lifespan of their SGL carbon ceramics. The phrase “a four times longer lifetime and a noticeably reduced brake pad wear” has been modified by the firm on the page.