Function and characteristics of ceramic brakes:

• Audi ceramic brake discs are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramics. This type of material composition is a so-called composite ceramic material. Its base material is silicon carbide, which is extremely hard and highly resistant to wear and has a crystalline structure similar to a diamond. High-strength carbon fibres are embedded in the structure, and these prove an effective means of absorbing the stresses which occur in the material.
• The sophisticated geometry of the cooling channels in the ventilated brake discs provide for outstanding brake disc cooling. Compared to steel brake discs of an identical design, the service life is much longer (under the same operating conditions) due to the high resistance to wear.
• The result is a high-performance brake system made of carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramic material which is especially well suited for high loads. The special material characteristics of the composite ceramics and the high-performance configuration mean that certain brake noises that are specific to ceramic brakes could occur at walking pace.
• When wet or exposed to road salts (e.g. after going through a car wash, overnight dew, etc.) the braking effect may correspond to that of a conventional brake system. This reduced braking effect will be noticeable to the driver as he will already have become accustomed to the high braking standards of the ceramic brake system – greater pedal pressure can compensate for this.
  

Benefits for the customer:

• Outstanding deceleration figures, even when heavily loaded, for example when driving on mountain roads.
• Significantly reduced weight for each wheel compared to conventional brake discs (e.g. A8 or S8: approx. 6.5 kg less for each front axle brake disc compared to grey cast iron discs). The reduced unsprung rotary mass means the driver experiences enhanced driving dynamics and improved agility.
• Service life several times longer than conventional steel discs under the same operating conditions.
• In contrast to steel brake discs, ceramic brake discs are not susceptible to corrosion.
• The surface which is so typical for ceramic brakes, the perforated brake discs and the anthracite coloured brake callipers which carry the "Audi ceramic" inscription on the front axle all heighten the visual impact of the car and accentuate its sporty credentials.
• Ceramic brakes display far greater resistance to rapid temperature fluctuations (thermal shock resistance), i.e. no geometrical deformation when they cool down quickly.