Home » Products » Product Overview » Brake Caliper and Carriers BRAKE CALIPER AND CARRIERS PRODUCT OVERVIEW Brake calipers do as much as any component to help a car stop. Put simply, they form the part of a disc brake that squeezes surrounding pads against the side of a rotor, whenever the brake pedal is applied. Resulting friction brings the vehicle to a halt. Calipers come in two forms, floating and fixed. The first of those sees them move in and out relative to the rotor. One or two pistons are typically found on the inboard side of the rotor and push the entire caliper when pressure is applied to the brake. This helps to create friction on either side. More popular - but more expensive - are fixed calipers. As the name suggests, these don’t move but rather see pistons arranged on opposing sides of the rotor. The MAT Foundry Group have long been market leaders in the manufacture of both brake calipers and heavy-duty brake calipers alike. We actively engage in the early development phase in order to design the best product for optimal performance, all at the lowest weight and cost. We currently manufacture brake caliper housing and brackets for commercial and passenger vehicles. HOW DO THEY WORK? Standard car wheels are attached to brake discs – or rotors as they are otherwise known. Calipers slow the wheels by creating friction with said rotors. They are draped over the brake disc in a vice like grip. Within each caliper are two metal plates bonded with friction material – better known as brake pads. These also come in two forms, outboard (intended for the outside of the rotor) and inboard (intended for the inside). When drivers brake, brake fluid emerges from the master cylinder and adds hydraulic pressure to one or more pistons within the caliper. This forces pad against rotor. Due to the high friction surface of the former, it manages to slow the rotor and, by extension, wheels. BRAKE CALIPER FACTS The MAT Foundry Group produce 27 million brake calipers a year. Modern brake disc calipers can last for up to 10 years. Floating calipers and fixed calipers are the most used kind. Brake calipers are hydraulic actuators, relying on fluid pressure to cause movement. Brake calipers boast different torque specifications depending on the manufacturer. PRODUCTION FACILITIES MAT Foundries Europe MAT Neunkirchen MAT Dalian Auto Parts Mincer VIEW LOCATIONS NEWS AND BLOGS Women In Automotive Continue To Steer Success 22nd Nov 2021 READ MORE What Is A Camshaft and How Does It Work? (Infographic) 16th Nov 2021 READ MORE Williams Set To Become F1s First Climate Positive Team 18th Oct 2021 READ MORE Prev Next INSTAGRAM FEED LATEST VACANCIES MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME Ref: MATGRAD160418 Standort: , Global READ MORE MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME Ref: GRADGER190417 Standort: , Global READ MORE ELEKTRIKER (M/W) Ref: MFE070119 Standort: MAT Foundries Ueckermunde, Ueckermünde, Germany READ MORE EINEN MITARBEITER (M/W/D) FÜR DEN BEREICH IT Ref: IMM21012021 Standort: MAT Machining Europe, Immenhausen, Germany READ MORE QUICK LINKS Products Facilities Suppliers Careers Staff Login HEADQUARTERS 16 Mannings Heath Rd, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4NJ United Kingdom SOCIAL MEDIA NEWSLETTER SIGNUP © 2021 MAT Foundry Group Ltd. | Registered Company Number 4132517 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy MAT Europe uses cookies to improve your experience. This includes necessary cookies to interact with the website, anonymous analytical data, and some third party cookies. For a complete list and further options please see our Cookie Policy. Accept All and Close MORE PRODUCTS CONTACT US