Carbon vs. Steel Brake Course
Online course of 300 hours in carbon vs. steel brakes. 6 modules covering braking physics, steel and cast-iron brakes, carbon brakes, on-track comparison, maintenance and safety, and a brake system project, with UN/ECE Regulations No. 13-H and No. 90, SAE J2522 and MATLAB, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Calculate the energy dissipated and the disc temperature during a braking event.
Compare the properties of steel and carbon brakes.
Select the brake material according to category and regulations.
Analyse brake behaviour on track using telemetry.
Maintain brake systems safely.
Design brake cooling ducts.
Apply braking and friction-material testing standards.
Who it's for
- Brake engineers working on road, GT or racing applications.
- Race mechanics who handle disc and pad changes in the pit lane.
- Composite materials engineers moving into friction components.
- Track engineers who analyse brake data during race weekends.
- Brake maintenance technicians.
- Product development engineers in brake system manufacturers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to break into motorsport.
What you'll work with
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 13-H (braking of passenger cars)
- UN/ECE Regulation No. 90 (replacement brake parts)
- SAE J2522 (friction material effectiveness on a dynamometer)
- ISO 26867 (dynamometer friction testing)
- ISO 6310 (compressibility of brake linings)
- FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J (technical regulations)
- MATLAB
- Ansys Mechanical
- MoTeC i2 Pro
- Ansys Fluent
6 modules
1.1Kinetic energy and conversion into heat1.2Braking torque and effective radius1.3Pad-disc friction coefficient1.4Thermal mass of the disc1.5Temperature-induced fade1.6Brake balance and load transfer1.7Braking power at high speed1.8Convective cooling1.9Radiation at high temperature1.10Practical: disc temperature after a braking event
2.1Grey cast-iron discs and their microstructure2.2Steel discs in motorsport2.3Ventilated and grooved discs2.4Sintered and organic pads2.5Operating temperature range2.6Thermal cracking and disc distortion2.7Weight and unsprung mass2.8Cost and availability2.9Use in road cars and GT2.10Lab: friction versus temperature test
3.1Carbon-carbon composites in single-seater formulas3.2C/SiC carbon-ceramic discs3.3Manufacturing process by infiltration3.4Minimum operating temperature3.5Friction coefficient and initial bite3.6Oxidation and temperature-related wear3.7Ventilation with hundreds of drilled holes3.8Weight and inertia reduction3.9Cost and service life3.10Case study: mass and inertia comparison between solutions
4.1Braking distance and average deceleration4.2Lap-to-lap pedal consistency4.3Temperature window and fade4.4Pedal feel and modulation4.5Behaviour in rain and cold conditions4.6Wear in endurance races4.7Excessive cooling after a safety car4.8Infrared disc temperature sensors4.9Material restrictions under the regulations4.10Case study: brake selection for endurance racing
5.1Bedding-in new discs and pads5.2Measuring thickness and mass wear5.3Inspection for cracks and oxidation5.4Caliper and fluid cooling5.5Brake fluid and boiling point5.6Bleeding the circuit and the master cylinder5.7Handling and storage of carbon components5.8Protection against dust and particles5.9Brake change during a pit stop5.10Workshop: complete replacement of discs and pads
6.1Definition of the vehicle and its mass6.2Energy calculation for one lap6.3Thermal comparison of steel versus carbon6.4Justified choice of material6.5Sizing of calipers and master cylinders6.6Design of cooling ducts6.7Season maintenance plan6.8Cost estimate per event6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, Ansys Mechanical, MoTeC i2 Pro and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: dynamometer friction tests, on-track brake comparisons and disc replacement in the pits. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: UN/ECE Regulation No. 13-H, UN/ECE Regulation No. 90, SAE J2522, ISO 26867, ISO 6310, FIA International Sporting Code Appendix J.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, Ansys Mechanical, MoTeC i2 Pro and Ansys Fluent, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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