Disc vs Drum Brakes: Choosing the Right System for Optimal Performance

Who wants to stop before they even get started? Choosing the wrong brake for your applications could bring you to a grinding halt, costing you time and money. It is important you know the difference between various types of brake and which is more effective for your situation. 

For industrial applications or automotive, disc and drum brakes both have several pros and cons. Below, we discuss which is best, so you can make an informed drum brake decision.  

How Do They Work?

Drum brakes were the original form of a brake, patented by Louis Renault in 1902. They consisted of a wooden block attached to a lever. When the level was pulled, the block would touch the wheels and stop a vehicle’s motion. 

A drum brake is made of a round metal drum. The drum has brake shoes and two pistons. The drum rotates near a wheel and pushes down on the pistons when it fills with brake fluid. 

The pistons then press the shoes against the wheel, slowing it down. This friction will then stop the wheel from spinning. 

Disc brakes use a metal rotor that spins in conjunction with the wheel. A caliper applied the brake pads pushes them onto the rotor. The resulting friction then slows the wheel down. 

Drum Brake Pros

Drum brakes are more cost-effective than disc brakes. This low price also makes them more cost-effective for maintenance. If you are buying a vehicle, you may find that some brakes are drums and some are disc, and both are used in industrial applications.

Drum Brake Cons

Many of the cons with drum brakes are because all their parts are housed within the drum. This means any adverse effects, like heat and water, cause problems for all the parts involved. When these parts become less effective over time, it is known as brake fade. 

Drum brakes are not ideal in wet conditions. Water can gather inside the drum, which hurts performance. This makes them unsuitable for some industrial applications. 

Drum brakes also tend to hold more heat than disc brakes. You may find they get hotter with repeated usage. As the heat does not dissipate, it can make them fade over time. 

Disc Brake Pros

Disc brakes do not suffer the same problems that afflict drums brakes, making them more efficient all around. The first pro is that the rotors cast water away, so they do not hold water as a drum brake would. This makes them better in wet conditions. 

They also dissipate heat better than drums brakes. This means they are less likely to fade and last longer with less maintenance. Finally, during heavy braking, they will not lock as much as their counterparts.

Disc Brake Cons

Disc brakes are more expensive to make, and this is passed on to consumers. This expense means they can also cost more to maintain. 

Industrial Brakes

Once you know the difference, you can begin to decide which is best for your needs. Kor Pak has many solutions for your industrial disc and drum brake needs. Browse our catalog, then contact us for a quote.