Waterproof braking system
When a military vehicle was rebuilt and its weight more than doubled, a significantly improved braking performance was required – without increasing the system’s installation space. The solution combined material innovation, thermal resistance, and a fully sealed design.
Doubled Weight – Unchanged Installation Space
One of Europe’s largest defense industry groups carried out a comprehensive redesign of a military vehicle. Enhanced protection increased the total weight from 7 to 16 tons, placing entirely new demands on braking system performance.
The challenge was clear: braking force needed to increase substantially, while the available installation space remained unchanged. The system could not become larger or require more space.
Material Selection Enabling Higher Performance
The solution was found in materials engineering. By using new friction materials with a higher coefficient of friction, improved durability, and increased thermal resistance, braking force and stopping performance were enhanced within the existing design envelope.
At the same time, adjacent components were analyzed and verified to ensure they could withstand the increased thermal load resulting from higher energy conversion.
Adaptation for Amphibious Operation
The vehicle was designed for amphibious use, requiring a fully waterproof braking system to prevent corrosion and operational disturbances.
Sealing performance was ensured through a proprietary design solution incorporating a specially designed clamping ring, dust protection in specialty silicone, adapted lubricants, and an effective surface treatment for long-term corrosion protection.
An Integrated and Verified System Solution
The result is a compact, waterproof, and high-performance braking solution that meets the increased requirements without affecting the vehicle’s installation space.
This project clearly demonstrates how material expertise and design innovation can solve complex technical challenges in demanding applications.
Customer case
