System and method of making an enhanced brake rotor with improved corrosion resistance
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsBenjamin Everest Slattery, Kevin P. Callaghan, Mark T. Riefe
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Abstract
Systems and methods of making an enhanced vehicular brake rotor having improved wear and corrosion resistance are provided. The enhanced vehicular brake rotor comprises a brake rotor comprising a base comprised of iron (Fe). The base comprises an outer surface having open pores formed thereon. The rotor has a steam-treated layer formed on the outer surface and in the open pores. The steam-treated layer is comprised of iron oxide (Fe3O4) and has a thickness of between 10 and 50 microns for enhanced wear and corrosion resistance to define the enhanced vehicular rotor.
Claims8
A method of making an enhanced vehicular brake rotor having improved wear and corrosion resistance, the method comprising:
- providing a vehicular brake rotor comprising a disc portion having a first side and an opposing second side and comprised of iron (Fe), the disc portion comprising an outer surface having open pores formed thereon;
- cleaning the brake rotor to remove contamination thereon;
- heating the brake rotor with gaseous steam to a temperature of between 315 degrees Celsius (° C.) and 540° C. for between 0.5 hour (hr) and 3 hr to define a steam-treated layer formed on the outer surface and in the open pores, the steam-treated layer being comprised of iron oxide (Fe3O4) and having a thickness of between 10 and 50 microns for enhanced wear and corrosion resistance;
- and
- cooling the enhanced vehicular brake rotor to ambient temperature, defining the enhanced vehicular brake rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.