Brake Heat Calculator
SI
Imp
Imperial
Inputs
View results
Vehicle mass
(m)
Vehicle mass or test weight.
lb
Initial speed
(v_i)
Speed before braking.
mph
Final speed
(v_f)
Speed after braking. Use zero for a stop.
mph
Front brake bias
(B_f)
Percentage of braking energy assigned to the front axle.
%
Front rotor mass each
(m_f)
Mass of one front rotor.
lb
Rear rotor mass each
(m_r)
Mass of one rear rotor.
lb
Rotor specific heat
(c_p)
Cast iron is often near 450-500 J/(kg*C).
J/(kg*C)
Stop count
(N)
Repeated equivalent stops without cooling.
Results
Default result
Edit inputs
Front rotor temp rise
92.37
°F
Pass
Also computed
Rear rotor temp rise
Pass
52.79
°F
Total stop energy
398,000
ft·lbf
Front rotor energy each
139,300
ft·lbf
Rear rotor energy each
59,700
ft·lbf
Method notes
2 notes
This is a lumped heat-capacity screen. It ignores pads, calipers, tires, air cooling, radiation, rotor vanes and heat rejection during the stop.
Use instrumented testing or manufacturer brake thermal data for final design and safety decisions.
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