HYDRAULIC Disc Brakes – is there a case for Stainless Steel?
Have you ever wondered why some people choose Stainless Steel brake components over Mild Steel for hydraulic brake systems on boat trailers? We get the questions about this regularly. While we don’t have all the answers, we would like to put forward what we think you might consider in relation to hydraulic disc brake options.
The change from Mild Steel to Stainless Steel for the rotor disc is also a compromise. Stainless Steel is not as good a conductor of heat as a Mild Steel casting and therefore the rotor discs will generate heat quickly. For this reason, we recommend the use of vented rotor discs in conjunction with a change to Stainless Steel Callipers.
We also note the continual rust that builds up on Mild Steel dacromet coated rotor discs in contact with the brake pads. This surface corrosion must be removed by the brake pads during every use of the boat trailer… exacerbating brake pad wear. If you are a low usage boatie this extra brake pad wear will be insignificant… but if generally intending to use the boat regularly we recommend the use of a Stainless Steel rotor disc instead.
Most of our clients are experienced boat users. And among them both the advantages of avoiding brake lock up and the reduced wear of brake pads are important factors. However, for many, the standard dacromet callipers (fitted with Stainless Steel pistons and cylinders), coupled with dacromet coated rotor discs is still a very acceptable option. As always, the choice is yours.
Happy Boating
Andrew van Ryneveld – Spitfire Boat Trailers SA
The change from Mild Steel to Stainless Steel for the rotor disc is also a compromise. Stainless Steel is not as good a conductor of heat as a Mild Steel casting and therefore the rotor discs will generate heat quickly. For this reason, we recommend the use of vented rotor discs in conjunction with a change to Stainless Steel Callipers.
We also note the continual rust that builds up on Mild Steel dacromet coated rotor discs in contact with the brake pads. This surface corrosion must be removed by the brake pads during every use of the boat trailer… exacerbating brake pad wear. If you are a low usage boatie this extra brake pad wear will be insignificant… but if generally intending to use the boat regularly we recommend the use of a Stainless Steel rotor disc instead.
Most of our clients are experienced boat users. And among them both the advantages of avoiding brake lock up and the reduced wear of brake pads are important factors. However, for many, the standard dacromet callipers (fitted with Stainless Steel pistons and cylinders), coupled with dacromet coated rotor discs is still a very acceptable option. As always, the choice is yours.
Happy Boating
Andrew van Ryneveld – Spitfire Boat Trailers SA
On a typical boat trailer the conversion from Mild Steel to full Stainless Steel callipers and rotors is approximately $1200 per axle. Whether or not this extra cost is worth the benefits is difficult to determine because of so many individual variables in boat usage. But most people who have converted will say they have enjoyed the benefits.
Most manufacturers offer brake kits whose parts can have a mix of different metals and coatings so it’s important to be aware of what you want in any conversion. At Spitfire Trailers we specify DEEMAXX brakes on all trailers and we provide these in either dacromet coated callipers and rotor discs or otherwise Stainless Steel.
The obvious difference between the two options is the higher corrosion resistance of Stainless Steel compared to using the dacromet coated alternative. The dacromet coated Mild Steel components, although extensively used on boat trailers, will exhibit signs of rust early on in their service life – although this is surface rust and not normally harmful to long term operation.
The most significant differences are found in the internal components of the callipers and the benefits of Stainless Steel rotor discs on the wear life of the brake pads.
Calliper pistons are available in a variety of materials. However, many of the callipers that we have been used to in the past have been fitted with phenolic or mild steel pistons. The phenolic piston is a cast resin that is light weight and has high corrosion resistance and therefore will not react with water and salt and rust in the same way as a Mild Steel piston will. It is also a low conductor of heat and therefore, while connected directly to the back of the brake pad as is the case with all calliper pistons, it will not transfer as much heat to the brake fluid when compared to using steel pistons.
Unfortunately, these phenolic pistons can absorb moisture and swell, causing them to stick in their bore and lock up the brakes – even when there has been little use of a boat trailer. A Mild Steel piston is subject to corrosion and can also lockup in the cylinder. If you’re considering Mild Steel brake callipers, then at least ensure that you have Stainless Steel pistons and cylinders as is the standard option we have chosen with our Spitfire DEEMAXX callipers.
The change from Mild Steel to Stainless Steel for the rotor disc is also a compromise. Stainless Steel is not as good a conductor of heat as a Mild Steel casting and therefore the rotor discs will generate heat quickly. For this reason, we recommend the use of vented rotor discs in conjunction with a change to Stainless Steel Callipers.
We also note the continual rust that builds up on Mild Steel dacromet coated rotor discs in contact with the brake pads. This surface corrosion must be removed by the brake pads during every use of the boat trailer… exacerbating brake pad wear. If you are a low usage boatie this extra brake pad wear will be insignificant… but if generally intending to use the boat regularly we recommend the use of a Stainless Steel rotor disc instead.
Most of our clients are experienced boat users. And among them both the advantages of avoiding brake lock up and the reduced wear of brake pads are important factors. However, for many, the standard dacromet callipers (fitted with Stainless Steel pistons and cylinders), coupled with dacromet coated rotor discs is still a very acceptable option. As always, the choice is yours.
Happy Boating
Andrew van Ryneveld – Spitfire Boat Trailers SA
On a typical boat trailer the conversion from Mild Steel to full Stainless Steel callipers and rotors is approximately $1200 per axle. Whether or not this extra cost is worth the benefits is difficult to determine because of so many individual variables in boat usage. But most people who have converted will say they have enjoyed the benefits.
Most manufacturers offer brake kits whose parts can have a mix of different metals and coatings so it’s important to be aware of what you want in any conversion. At Spitfire Trailers we specify DEEMAXX brakes on all trailers and we provide these in either dacromet coated callipers and rotor discs or otherwise Stainless Steel.
The obvious difference between the two options is the higher corrosion resistance of Stainless Steel compared to using the dacromet coated alternative. The dacromet coated Mild Steel components, although extensively used on boat trailers, will exhibit signs of rust early on in their service life – although this is surface rust and not normally harmful to long term operation.
The most significant differences are found in the internal components of the callipers and the benefits of Stainless Steel rotor discs on the wear life of the brake pads.
Calliper pistons are available in a variety of materials. However, many of the callipers that we have been used to in the past have been fitted with phenolic or mild steel pistons. The phenolic piston is a cast resin that is light weight and has high corrosion resistance and therefore will not react with water and salt and rust in the same way as a Mild Steel piston will. It is also a low conductor of heat and therefore, while connected directly to the back of the brake pad as is the case with all calliper pistons, it will not transfer as much heat to the brake fluid when compared to using steel pistons.
Unfortunately, these phenolic pistons can absorb moisture and swell, causing them to stick in their bore and lock up the brakes – even when there has been little use of a boat trailer. A Mild Steel piston is subject to corrosion and can also lockup in the cylinder. If you’re considering Mild Steel brake callipers, then at least ensure that you have Stainless Steel pistons and cylinders as is the standard option we have chosen with our Spitfire DEEMAXX callipers.
The change from Mild Steel to Stainless Steel for the rotor disc is also a compromise. Stainless Steel is not as good a conductor of heat as a Mild Steel casting and therefore the rotor discs will generate heat quickly. For this reason, we recommend the use of vented rotor discs in conjunction with a change to Stainless Steel Callipers.
We also note the continual rust that builds up on Mild Steel dacromet coated rotor discs in contact with the brake pads. This surface corrosion must be removed by the brake pads during every use of the boat trailer… exacerbating brake pad wear. If you are a low usage boatie this extra brake pad wear will be insignificant… but if generally intending to use the boat regularly we recommend the use of a Stainless Steel rotor disc instead.
Most of our clients are experienced boat users. And among them both the advantages of avoiding brake lock up and the reduced wear of brake pads are important factors. However, for many, the standard dacromet callipers (fitted with Stainless Steel pistons and cylinders), coupled with dacromet coated rotor discs is still a very acceptable option. As always, the choice is yours.
Happy Boating
Andrew van Ryneveld – Spitfire Boat Trailers SA
