REFLECTOR: The law of conservation energy.

[Laurence Coen]

Any vehicle, (plane,train, auto) that uses friction breaks to stop converts kinetic energy, (speed x weight) to heat.  Therefore, Cleveland or Matco, the same plane at the same speed will make the same heat.  Why then do the Clevlands stop better than the Matco?  The Clevlands larger diameter disk provides greater braking torque for the same friction due to the longer moment arm but the increase in diameter also increases the surface speed at the same wheel rotational speed and therefore the same heat (no free lunch).  The larger disk has two things going for it.  A larger thermal mass to absorb heat and greater surface area to reject heat.

Larry Coen
N136LC
SE/RG Franklin/IVO, Stops fine Matco
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