Disk Brakes - Torque and Force

Forces and torque activated with disk brakes. Calculate braking torque capacity and required pad pressure.

Disk Brakes - Torque and Force

The torque capacity of a disk brake with two pads can be expressed as:

T = 2 μ F r (1)

Where:

  • T = braking torque (Nm)
  • μ = coefficient of friction
  • F = force on each pad (N)
  • r = mean radius (from center wheel to center pad) (m)

Required pad pressure can be expressed as:

p = F / A (2)

Where:

  • p = pressure (Pa)
  • A = pad area (m²)
Calculator

Inputs

Results

Braking Torque (T)-- Nm
Pad Pressure (p)-- Pa
Disk Brakes - Torque and Force | MEPKit Engineering Tools | MEPKit