Unlocking the Mysteries of Aircraft Brakes and Wheels Temperature

What causes aircraft brakes and wheels to reach their maximum temperatures?

Is it during takeoff, cruising, or landing?

Final answer:

Aircraft brakes reach their maximum temperatures during extended periods of brake use, such as during landing or steep descents.

Explanation:

Aircraft brakes and wheels can reach their maximum temperatures during extended periods of braking, such as when a plane is descending or landing. This is due to the conversion of the plane's gravitational potential energy into increased internal energy, or heat, in the brake material, a process known as regenerative braking.

When an aircraft engages its brakes during landing or steep descents, the continuous use of the brakes causes the temperature to rise significantly. This temperature increase is a result of the conversion of gravitational potential energy into heat in the brake material.

For example, consider a truck traveling downhill. Prior to the descent, the brakes have a temperature higher than the ambient temperature. The downhill journey necessitates continuous braking, causing the brake temperature to potentially rise above the boiling point of water. Similarly, an aircraft must engage its brakes during landing or steep descents, causing the brakes' temperature to reach a maximum.

Advanced automotive technology, like that found in hybrid and electric cars, takes advantage of this process, converting this mechanical energy back into electrical energy which charges the vehicle's battery. Despite this, overuse of the brakes can lead to temperatures so high that they become dangerous, leading to a process called brake fade, which is when the braking efficiency significantly drops due to overheating.