what's the advantage in having more pistons in a brake caliper

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

title ..

[mmm_aapls]

I believe that having more psitons allows the break pads to have more pressure zones. That is zones where the pad is forced up against the disc. These zones creat much more friction than areas that aren't directly actuated by the pistons.

[LotusLocost]

title ..

The number of pistons in the break caliper is what you can call a measurement of calipers, the more pistons, the larger calipers and pads you have.. and bigger pads produce more friction, more friction = better braking..

It's a bit hard to measure calipers in other ways "oh.. look at my new 24 cm break calipers!!! "... dosn't tell squat...

The big advantage is ofcorse better brakes

[hightower99]

sometimes more pistons can mean more brake pads. On some 6 piston calipers each piston has it's own seperate brake pad. Advantages are better feel and control as well as much more leading each which makes brakes react faster and brake harder.

[charged]

The more pistons, the higher clamping force, the bigger pad etc. Also when you say 6 pistons is that 3 pistons each side, I remember the old days when it was one piston, the disc and the backing plate for the other pad, not the best system, but certainly better than drums

[lightweight]

If we have 2 braking systems that are completely identical, with the only difference being the number of pistons, then the one with the more pistons will be superior in braking force.

Note that the two braking systems have the same contact patch with the brake rotor, although they have different number of pistons.

Theory suggests that in order to make braking better, you must place the pistons as far away from the centre of the wheel as possible. So, if one has a fixed contact area with the brake rotor, then he can improve braking by installing more brake pistons. Of course the pistons will get smaller as their number increases (because the contact area with the brake rotor is fixed)

Ultimately, it is not wise to install 50 pistons. And the more pistons are used, the more the weight is likely to increase.

So, for me some braking systems used by Mercedes for their AMG cars, that have outrageous numbers of caipers, are used because they sell. Thay compromise other aspects of the car, such as comfort (increased unsprung weight)

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

really ?? i remember somewhere that a single piston gives more force then double or quad pistons, ill try to find the site

[johnnyperl]

the number of pistons is not the point, its the total surface area. Pressure in the brake fluid is measured in force per area, therefore the more piston area you have exposed to the fluid the more force is exerted onto the pad/disc.

the reason some calipers have 8 pistons rather than two huge pistons is for packaging. a long slim caliper will fit in a wheel better. also, in an 8 piston caliper the sizes of the pistons are varied to give better distribution of the load on the pads/disc.

[NSXType-R]

Better braking power. More pistons, more force created on the rotors.

[lightweight]

the number of pistons is not the point, its the total surface area.

Given that the surface area is the same, the braking system with the most pistons will offer superior braking power. Of course all the other parameters of the braking system must be identical.

[kigango123]

the number of pistons is not the point, its the total surface area.
.

the force of friction of the brakes is proportional to the normal force on discs
not surface area on discs, so more pistons give more braking power.

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

the force of friction of the brakes is proportional to the normal force on discs
not surface area on discs, so more pistons give more braking power.

actually it is, the force is in PSI, pounds per square inch, if there are more inches, there are more pounds as a result, work in = work out for hydraulics

[KnifeEdge_2K1]

what i meant was given equal piston area and hydraulic multiplier (again dont know the real name) so say each psi on the brake pedal becomes 10psi on the rotors (arbitrarily set number) would there be any advantage in having 6 pot over 4 pot ??

[mmm_aapls]

I thought tah in 6 pot rotors there are 4 small pistons and 2 larger ones. When the braking force required is small, the 4 pistons activate. When the braking force is large, the 2 huge pistons activate and pull the car up.

but anyway, here is a site I found on brake information. It's a good read.

http://www.hotrodheaven.com/tech/bra...kes1_index.htm