The Introduction of Air Disc Brakes for Trucks and Buses in Europe

Hydraulic disc brakes are now well established in production on both front and rear axles of commercial vehicles up to 11 tonnes (24250-lb) in Europe. Last year saw the introduction of mechanical air disc brakes at 19 tonne (41900-lb) GVM on Renault's flagship, the R420, and more recently their AE500 (using the Mack EE9.503 8 cylinder engine), heralding the imminent widespread adoption of air mechanical disc brakes on many of Europe's premium trucks and buses. This paper discusses the experience gained during testing of these vehicles, highlighting the benefits to be gained from the use of disc brakes, through comparisons of performance, wear, and durability.