The astéria brake responds to the aspirations of eco-friendliness:

Weight advantage, lighter vehicules:

– The astéria brake will save 35 kg per axel, which is more than a 100 kg on truck brakes and more than 200 kg on semi-trailers with three axels.

Recyclable materials reduce the impact on the environment:

– The astéria brake concept prolongs material life, thus reducing environnemental impact;

– The astéria brake utilises recyclable materials such as aluminum.

Fuel economy, pollution and global warming:

– By its innovative concept, the astéria brake allows better fuel economy, reducing atmospheric pollution and global warming.

The astéria brake is equipped with an automatic internal return system which eliminates all friction in normal driving conditions.

Certain brakes create free rolling friction resistance, which varies from vehicle to vehicle and will require the intervention of a professional for adjustment. The problem stems from the piston/calliper design that does not retract completely which needs to be replaced or serviced and in the case of a drum brake, adjustment may be necessary.

The necessary power to overcome the rolling resistance and maintain vehicle speed may double to compensate for abnormal brake friction, resulting in 15% or more of fuel consumption.

10 % economy on fuel consumption for a truck travelling over 100,000 km equates to a savings of more than 3,500 Litres of fuel per year.

Environment :

The astéria brake helps to eliminate significantly air born particles attributed to reduced brake friction material wear. The correlation between air born particles caused by brake friction material wear is demonstrated in a recent article: (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/11/brakes-20091120.html#more).

This study establishes the following statement:

"Brake wear contributes up to 20% of total traffic emissions."

The astéria brake produces 2 times less particle release compared to traditional disc brakes.

Why?

The astéria brake applies less clamping pressure on the friction material as it is not necessary thanks to double surface pads making them superior. Pad wear is the source of particle emissions and is linked directly to pressure applied on the friction material to disc contact causing traditional disc brakes to prematurely wear out.

The conclusion of the article confirms the advantage of the eco-friendly astéria brake:

"(...) just as for exhaust particles, efforts to diminish brake particle emissions will lead to an improved ambient air quality and so could provide better protection of human health."

The astéria brake solution represents a new generation of braking technology:

– Reduced wear / longer lifespan;

– Reduced wear particle discharge / improved ambient air and living quality;

– Recyclable materials employed;

– Short-term availability;

– Competitive;

– Profitable.

The astéria brake is without doubt vital to the heavy vehicle industry.