Welcome to the definitive guide to industrial braking terminology. Whether you’re an engineer designing a new crane, a maintenance technician troubleshooting a conveyor, or a purchasing manager sourcing new components, understanding the language of brakes is essential for safety, efficiency, and performance.
This glossary is designed to be your go-to resource. We’ve organized the terms into logical categories to help you build a comprehensive understanding of how these critical systems work.
Core Concepts & Principles
1. Torque (Braking Torque)
The rotational force that a brake can apply to stop a rotating element, like a shaft or a wheel. It’s the most critical value in brake selection and is typically measured in Newton-meters (Nm) or pound-feet (lb-ft).
2. Fail-Safe Brake
A brake that is engaged by spring force and released by an external power source (like hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power). If the power fails, the springs automatically apply the brake, “failing” into a safe, locked state. This is the standard for lifting applications. Learn more about Our Fail-Safe Brake Solutions.
3. Service Brake (Dynamic Brake)
A brake designed to slow down and stop moving machinery during normal operation. It must be able to absorb and dissipate large amounts of kinetic energy as heat.
4. Parking Brake (Static / Holding Brake)
A brake designed primarily to hold a load or machine stationary once it has already been stopped. It has high holding torque but typically lower thermal capacity than a service brake.
5. Emergency Brake
A brake system designed to stop a machine in the event of a power failure or a primary brake failure. Fail-safe brakes often serve this function.
6. Duty Cycle
A measure of the frequency and duration of braking applications over a given period. A high duty cycle (e.g., many stops per hour) requires a brake with excellent thermal capacity.
7. Thermal Capacity
The ability of a brake to absorb and dissipate heat generated during braking without its performance degrading. Exceeding this capacity leads to brake fade.
8. Normally Open Brake
A brake that is disengaged (open) in its resting state and requires power to engage (close). These are used for service braking where a fail-safe function is not required.
9. Normally Closed Brake
Another term for a Fail-Safe Brake. It is engaged (closed) in its resting, unpowered state.
Types of Brakes & Actuators
10. Disc Brake
A brake that uses calipers to squeeze pads against a rotating disc or rotor. Known for excellent heat dissipation and stable performance. See our range of Industrial Disc Brakes.
11. Drum Brake
A brake that uses shoes to press against the inner surface of a rotating drum. Known for high torque in a compact design and good protection from the environment. Explore our Industrial Drum Brakes.
12. Caliper Brake
The assembly in a disc brake system that houses the brake pads and pistons. It converts hydraulic or pneumatic pressure into the clamping force on the disc.
13. Block Brake
A type of drum brake where hinged arms press blocks or shoes onto the outer surface of a brake wheel. Common in cranes and heavy machinery.
14. Band Brake
A brake that uses a flexible metal band lined with friction material, which wraps around the outside of a drum to create stopping force.
15. Storm Brake (Windproof Brake)
A powerful, secondary braking system used on large, rail-mounted machines like port cranes to prevent them from being moved by high winds. Check out our Storm Brake Solutions.
16. Rail Clamp
A type of storm brake that uses powerful jaws to clamp directly onto the head of the rail, providing a very high holding force.
17. Wedge Brake
A type of storm brake where a wedge is forced between a brake shoe and the rail, creating a massive, self-multiplying braking force.
18. Electro-Hydraulic Thruster
A self-contained actuator that uses an electric motor to power a hydraulic pump, which in turn moves a piston to release a fail-safe brake. Our Ed Series Thrusters are the industry standard.
19. Actuator
A general term for any component that provides the force to operate a brake (e.g., a thruster, hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, or electromagnet).
20. Solenoid / Electromagnet
An actuator that uses an electric coil to create a magnetic field, which pulls a plunger to either engage or release a brake.
Key Components & Parts
21. Friction Lining (Pad / Shoe)
The consumable material attached to a brake pad or shoe that makes direct contact with the disc or drum. Its friction coefficient determines the braking force.
22. Brake Disc (Rotor)
The rotating disc in a disc brake system that the pads clamp onto.
23. Brake Drum / Wheel
The rotating cylinder in a drum brake system that the shoes press against.
24. Caliper
The C-shaped housing for the pads and pistons in a disc brake.
25. Brake Shoe
The carrier, typically crescent-shaped, to which the friction lining is riveted or bonded in a drum brake.
26. Pivot Pin
The pins and shafts on which the brake arms and linkages pivot. Proper lubrication is critical.
27. Spring
The component that provides the force to engage a fail-safe brake. Its compression determines the braking torque.
28. Linkage
The system of levers and arms that transfers force from the actuator to the brake shoes or pads.
29. Air Gap
The small clearance between the friction lining and the disc/drum when the brake is released. This must be correctly adjusted as the lining wears.
30. Coupling
A device used to connect two shafts together, often where the brake is mounted (e.g., between the motor and gearbox).
Гидравлическая силовая установка
A standalone system that generates the hydraulic pressure needed to operate one or more large hydraulic brakes.
Performance & Troubleshooting Terms
32. Brake Fade
A loss of braking performance that occurs when the brake overheats, causing the friction coefficient of the linings to drop.
33. Glazing
A condition where overheating causes the friction lining surface to become hard, smooth, and glossy, severely reducing its ability to generate friction.
34. Squeal
A high-pitched noise caused by high-frequency vibrations between the friction lining and the disc/drum.
35. Chatter / Judder
A low-frequency, violent vibration felt during braking, often caused by contamination, warped components, or improper adjustment.
36. Contamination
The presence of oil, grease, water, or other foreign substances on the friction surfaces, which drastically reduces braking torque.
37. Dragging
A condition where the brake does not fully release, causing the linings to remain in contact with the disc/drum, leading to rapid overheating and wear.
38. Stroke
The distance an actuator’s piston or plunger travels to release the brake. Insufficient stroke can lead to dragging; excessive stroke can mean the linings are worn.
39. Wear Compensation
A mechanism, either manual or automatic, that adjusts the brake linkage to maintain the correct air gap as the friction linings wear down.
40. Bedding-In (Burnishing)
The process of properly wearing in new brake linings and discs/drums to ensure full contact and optimal performance.
41. Coefficient of Friction (µ)
A dimensionless value that represents the ratio of the force of friction between two bodies to the force pressing them together. Higher µ means more stopping power.
42. Self-Energizing
A characteristic of some drum brake designs where the rotation of the drum helps to pull one of the shoes tighter against it, increasing the braking force.
43. ATEX / Explosion-Proof
A certification for equipment designed to be safely used in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as mines or chemical plants. See our Explosion-Proof Thrusters.
44. IP Rating (Ingress Protection)
A standard that rates the degree of protection a component has against intrusion from foreign objects (like dust) and moisture.
45. Backlash
The clearance or “play” in a mechanical system, such as the linkage of a brake.
46. Hysteresis
The lagging of an effect behind its cause. In brakes, it can refer to a delay in engagement or release after the control signal is given.
47. Response Time
The time elapsed from when the signal to brake is given to when the brake achieves its full torque.
48. Set Time / Release Time
The specific time it takes for the brake to fully engage (set) or disengage (release).
49. Static Torque
The torque required to hold a load stationary (same as holding torque).
50. Dynamic Torque
The torque a brake can apply to a rotating load (same as service or braking torque).