after the particle filters for car exhaust systems, both diesel and gasoline, it seems that the particle filters for brakes . Developed with the aim of reducing the emission of particles emitted during braking, a Volkswagen prototype has already been picked up to test them.
Seen under test in a Volkswagen Golf GTD, it is not known for sure where these filters come from, but everything points to the fact that they belong to the company Mann+Hummel, which since 2003 has been dedicated to combating particulate emissions from brakes.
According to Mann+Hummel, every year about 10 thousand tons of these particles are emitted. , and this only in Germany. If you're wondering what these particles are, are you seeing that black powder that smudges your rims? That's it, but what are they?
With dimensions less than 10 micrometers (PM10), they are everywhere, not only produced by cars, whether combustion or not — at intersections there is a high concentration of these because they are braking zones — but also in subway tunnels.
What are these dangerous particles made of? Among its components we find metals such as iron, copper and manganese, and we are breathing them all.
What are the benefits of particulate filters for brakes?
In addition to the obvious environmental and public health benefits (after all, these particles lodge in the lung alveoli in the same way as particles emitted by combustion engines), Mann+Hummel says there may also be benefits in terms of the environmental classification of models.
Subscribe to our newsletter
According to the German company, the adoption of these particle filters for the brakes would make it possible to balance the “emissions balance” of models classified as Euro 5. This is because the capture of particles would not be limited only to those produced in the brakes, as these filters can simply capture those that are already suspended in mid-air.
Thus, according to Mann+Hummel, the capture of particles by this filters could offset those emitted by the engine, which would allow them to be classified (in terms of emissions) as Euro 6 or possibly even as electric vehicles — even electric vehicles emit particles when they hang — causing them to not be subject to some traffic bans.
The filters developed by Mann+Hummel are adaptable to brakes of different sizes, resistant to corrosion and capable of withstanding the high temperatures generated during braking. According to tests, these can capture up to 80% of the particles generated during braking.
Source: Carscoops and Mann+Hummel.