Timeline of developments in braking systems

18th century external shoe brake, this brake consists of a curved wooden
block or shoe which was designed to press against the rim of the wheels
(generally wrought iron) this force was applied via a system of levers and
linkages. Without the developments of levers, and linkages this brake
would not be possible.
1830s steam carriages also used hand operated brakes, still through
levers and linkages to press wrought iron shoes to rub against cast iron
wheels. The refinement of wrought iron into cast iron improved the brake
system from its predecessor.
1875 a compressed air brake was developed for the use on trains, it was
made compulsory for all trains in Britain in 1889,this system uses air
pressure to charge tanks on each car, having full air pressure signals each
car to release the brakes, reduction or loss of pressure signals for the
brakes to be applied. This braking system relies upon the development of
valves, to transfer the air pressure into the tanks.
Late 1890s the contracting band brake was developed, this brake
operated on the principle of a band acting on a hub. This brake would not
operate in reverse, was less effective in wet weather, dirt often became
trapped between the hub and the lining which also reduced effectiveness.
It used a band of frictional material that tightens around a cylindrical piece
of equipment to prevent it from rotating. This system relies upon the
developments of high friction materials.
1902 was the introduction of the drum brake to which was unaffected by
dirt and weather, as the brake shoes were enclosed within the drum. This
braking system uses the friction of the lining being pushed against the
inner surface of the drum to slow or stop the rotation of the wheel and
axle. Without the development of the drum to which encloses the brake
shoes, lining, wheel cylinder and anchor, the drum brake would be less
effective as it would be susceptible to exterior elements.
1904 was when the hydraulic system was introduced to operate the rear
brakes. This system uses brake fluid to transfer pressure to the braking
mechanism to the controlling mechanism (in 1910 most cars used
separate and independent braking systems, hand operated lever and
pedal mechanical or hydraulic system). These systems rely upon the
arrangement of the braking mechanisms.
This system was originally developed in the early 1900s but was regarded
as new in 1951. This system uses callipers to push brake pads against a
brake disc; the ensuing friction slows the rotation. These systems relied
upon the development of the disc brakes and callipers.
ABS, anti-lock braking systems enable drivers to steer the vehicle while
stopping, this is because this system prevent the wheels from locking
during emergency braking situations. The abs system uses sensors which
detect rapid deceleration; a CPU monitors the information received from
each sensor and adjusts the brake pressure accordingly.

Material

Properties

Uses and
applications
Wrought iron was
used in a range of
things like: carriages
(wheel rims), fences,
gates, railings,
grilles and hardware.

Wrought iron

Soft, malleable,
ductile, tough,
can be work
hardened, or
alloyed.

High carbon
steel

Heat treatable,
hard, low ductility,
brittle, high
tensile strength,
poor
machinability.

High carbon steel

was used in brake
cable wire as well as
things like: springs,
knives, tire
reinforcement and
rail steel.

asbestos

Sound absorption,
average tensile
strength, resistant
to fire, heat,
electrical and
chemical damage,
high co-efficient
of friction.

Spheroidal
graphite cast
iron

Soft, ductile,
malleable, tough,
machinable,
strong in tension
and compression

Asbestos was used

in the brake lining of
both drum and disc
brakes. It is also
used in thermal
insulation, fire
proofing, acoustic
insulation, roofing
and flooring.
Spheroidal graphite
cast iron is
commonly used in:
brake discs, water
and sewer lines, and

relationship
Wrought iron was
used in one of the
most primitive
braking systems
for its malleability
and softness
which allowed it to
be shrunk onto
the rim using
heat. Wrought iron
is also tough and
can be work
hardened this
made it a viable
choice.
High carbon steel
was used in the
wire for brake
cables as these
wires had a need
for high tensile
strength, the wire
made from high
carbon steel is
also quite hard,
and the properties
can be altered
further via heat
treatments and
alloys.
Asbestos was used
in the brake lining
due to its
strength, heat
resistance and
high co-efficient of
friction

It is due to its
toughness and
strength in
compression that
spheroidal

and can be heat

treated.

Neoprene

Flexible,
elastomer,
corrosion resistant
in the braking
environment,
tensile strength.

in automotive
components when
strength needs are
higher than that of
aluminium but dont
need steel e.g. class
8 trucks.
Neoprene is used in
a number of things
such as dust seals,
laptop sleeves,
electrical insulation
and automotive fan
belts.

graphite cast iron

is used in brake
discs, it can also
be heat treated to
make the exterior
harder.
Neoprene is a
synthetic rubber
that is flexible, an
elastomer, and
has more than
adequate
corrosion
resistance for a
braking
environment
making it suitable
for dust seals.

ABS brakes evaluation.

Anti-lock braking systems were an innovation; these systems aid in the
prevention of the wheels of your vehicle from locking, this avoids uncontrolled
skidding. This system relies upon the principles or threshold and cadence
braking; it does this faster and more precisely controlled than a driver. These
systems improve the vehicle control that one has, and decrease the stopping
distance on multiple surfaces, for surfaces that are loose e.g. gravel the braking
distance will increase but vehicle control is still improved. These systems work
as each wheel has a speed sensor which transfers the information (rpm) to the
electronic control unit, if a wheel is rotating significantly slower or faster than the
others, the ECU will adjust the pressure accordingly by either increasing the
braking pressure or decreasing the pressure. ABS systems are very effective at
increasing the amount of control that one has over a vehicle.