NASA’s Invention Puts a New Spin on Automotive Brake Rotors

Just as NASA needs to reduce mass on a spacecraft so it can escape Earth’s gravity, automotive manufacturers work to reduce weight to improve vehicle performance. In the case of brake rotors, lighter is better for a vehicle’s acceleration, reliable stopping, and even gas mileage. Orbis Brakes Inc. licensed a NASA-patented technology to accomplish that and more. This revolutionary brake disc design is at least 42 percent lighter than conventional cast iron rotors, with performance comparable to much more expensive carbon-ceramic brakes.