Motorsport: Measuring Brake Temperatures
If you are involved in motorsport, you already know that brakes need to operate within a specific range of temperature tolerance to function effectively. There are two ways to monitor temperature - one when the car is stationary, using an infrared thermometer, and the other is to use our temperature indicating strips to record maximum temperatures reached when on the track. In this blog post we discuss the benefits of using temperature sensitive labels to monitor and maintain the efficiency of brake systems.
When stationary, an infrared thermometer can be used to measure the surface temperature of the brake rotor. Simply point the infrared thermometer at the rotor and read the temperature displayed on the device, making sure to take the reading from a non-painted, non-rusted section of the rotor. Ideally take readings from both sides, front and back, and take detailed notes. Anything out of the ordinary is cause for deeper investigation!
For recording maximum temperatures of brake components, our temperature indicating strips are a great solution. They provide a permanent record of temperatures reached on brake components and the effectiveness of brake cooling measures.
The labels can be placed in a couple of locations to provide a record of maximum temperatures reached on the components. We typically see them being placed on the caliper directly over the piston locations, and positioned on the rotor close to - but definitely not on - the friction surface. The temperature indicator label on the caliper gives an indication of heat being generated by the friction contact between disk and pad, and how that in turn is conducted to the caliper and the brake fluid that passes through it. The disk temperature provides an indication of the heat being conducted through the rotor, and the labels provide a record of temperature that can also be an ideal warning of the risk of warping of brake disks and brake fluid degradation.
Want to go all the way? Place the labels on the various valves on each brake circuit, and all components back to the master cylinder. That will give you a full set of temperatures to review at the end of each race or event.
Using temperature indicator labels on brake components and systems provides an extra dataset that can be added to before and after measurements taken of the thickness of brake pads and brake disks.
Check out our full range of Automotive and Motorsport temperature indicator labels on our website. We carry a full range of label sizes and temperature ranges in stock and offer global shipping.
When stationary, an infrared thermometer can be used to measure the surface temperature of the brake rotor. Simply point the infrared thermometer at the rotor and read the temperature displayed on the device, making sure to take the reading from a non-painted, non-rusted section of the rotor. Ideally take readings from both sides, front and back, and take detailed notes. Anything out of the ordinary is cause for deeper investigation!
For recording maximum temperatures of brake components, our temperature indicating strips are a great solution. They provide a permanent record of temperatures reached on brake components and the effectiveness of brake cooling measures.
The labels can be placed in a couple of locations to provide a record of maximum temperatures reached on the components. We typically see them being placed on the caliper directly over the piston locations, and positioned on the rotor close to - but definitely not on - the friction surface. The temperature indicator label on the caliper gives an indication of heat being generated by the friction contact between disk and pad, and how that in turn is conducted to the caliper and the brake fluid that passes through it. The disk temperature provides an indication of the heat being conducted through the rotor, and the labels provide a record of temperature that can also be an ideal warning of the risk of warping of brake disks and brake fluid degradation.
Want to go all the way? Place the labels on the various valves on each brake circuit, and all components back to the master cylinder. That will give you a full set of temperatures to review at the end of each race or event.
Using temperature indicator labels on brake components and systems provides an extra dataset that can be added to before and after measurements taken of the thickness of brake pads and brake disks.
Check out our full range of Automotive and Motorsport temperature indicator labels on our website. We carry a full range of label sizes and temperature ranges in stock and offer global shipping.
- Tim Arrowsmith
