New Life for Carbon Brake Discs: A Sustainable Revolution
Release time: 2025-09-17
Carbon brake discs endure extreme conditions, withstanding thousands of braking events and temperatures exceeding 1000°C—reaching up to 2500°C during emergency stops. Despite this stress, these components are retired while still functional due to strict safety regulations.
For over 30 years, Safran Landing Systems has pioneered an innovative method to extend the lifespan of these discs: combining two partially worn discs to create a new one. Since carbon brakes are designed with a safety margin and removed before full wear, they retain significant usable material.
Through this renewal process, two used discs are refurbished into one like-new unit, performing identically to a brand-new brake disc. Airlines return discs that have reached regulatory limits and receive renewed units in exchange—a process known as “standard exchange.”
Today, 30% of Safran’s delivered brake discs are reprocessed this way, offering identical performance while reducing CO₂ emissions by 30%. This approach not only enhances sustainability but also maintains the highest standards of safety and reliability.
