C4INOXit®

Two cutting-edge technologies constitute market-leading solutions for long-term corrosion protection, fine dust reduction, and wear minimization in any form of metallic brake body tackling current market challenges

C4INOXit® diamond
Economically optimal hard coating solution providing superior wear protection, dust and corrosion reduction also for conventionally unweldable cast materials (such as brake disc friction bands) –applied in thin layers at high speeds, with efficient finishing capabilities based on laser cladding technology with unique powder material

C4INOXit® corroproof
Cost-effective, long-term corrosion protection for oxidizing metals and cast ironenabling material bonded, self-passivating coating, applicable with full coverage of ventilation channels – for non-automotive also conceivable for the friction ring

C4INOXit® diamond
Patented

>99.9% reduction in wear and free dust emissions as well as corrosion on friction surfaces

C4INOXit® corroproof
Patented

Lifelong corrosion protection, especially in hard-to-reach ventilation channels

C4INOXit® corroproof + C4INOXit® diamond

Best combination of long-term corrosion protection and fine dust reduction currently available in the market

C4INOXit®

Application fields 

C4INOXit® technologies solving current market challenges for passenger and commercial vehicles –further application fields beyond automotive sector

"Best of both worlds" approach

Extensive industry-aligned development with leading OEMs and Tier-1s combined with strong research-based approach

Market positioning

Technology currently unmatched in the market – no available solution to combine technical performance with cost-effectiveness to same extent

Solutions portfolio

Leading coating technology offering state-of-the-art wear reduction and long-term corrosion protection with secured IP based on global patents

Market readiness

Both technologies extensively tested, with road and industry tests showing outperforming results in wear and corrosion protection as well as in all brake disc relevant performance parameters. Highest level of maturity allowing for immediate mass production, supported by great industrialization know-how. 

Euro 7 

Addressing fine dust requirements for brake emissions mandated by upcoming Euro 7 standards (2026) which are not met within various vehicle categories as of today

C4INOXit®

Long-lasting protection for disc brakes against fine dust and wear as well as corrosion - a challenge for the automotive and non-automotive industry 

Brake discs in passenger cars

Electric vehicles

  • Electric vehicles use the electric motor for braking (recuperation), so that the installed brake system for the friction brake (including the brake discs) is only used 5% - 10% of the time in everyday life (especially for emergency braking). 90% - 95% of the braking processes are carried out by the electric motor.
  • The low utilization of the friction brake leads to almost permanent corrosion (rust) on the friction ring of cast iron brake discs, which in turn leads to accelerated soiling of the brake pads due to corrosion abrasion. The brake pads become dirty and the braking performance deteriorates (restriction during emergency braking, among other things). In addition, contamination of the brake pads significantly reduces their service life (solution: C4INOXit®diamond)
  • Due to the low use of the friction brake, the brake disc is rarely warmed through and consequently rarely dries out (especially in a damp environment). This failure to dry out accelerates the formation of corrosion (rusting) on the brake disk side surfaces, particularly in the area of the internal fan ducts. The result is limited heat transfer in the fan duct and visible permanent corrosion on the entire brake disc body (solution: C4INOXit®corroproof)

EURO 7 - Catalytic converter to reduce particulate matter in the EU

  • According to available environmental studies, half of the particulate matter caused by vehicles in city centers is caused by exhaust fumes, up to 20% by tire abrasion and up to 30% by the friction brake (friction pairing brake disc/brake pad)
  • EURO 7 will make it necessary to reduce particulate emissions from the entire vehicle from 2026. The greatest unaddressed potential for reducing particulate matter is in the area of the friction brake (solution: C4INOXit® diamond)

Design as a by-product

  • Large and open rim designs provide a clear view of the brake disk and brake caliper behind them. The requirement, especially for premium vehicles, is a corrosion-free appearance of the wheel and the visible components behind it, even after months or years (solution: C4INOXit® diamond and C4INOXit® corroproof).

Brake discs in commercial vehicles

  • Brake discs in commercial vehicles (e.g. trucks) have a very high mileage of up to 1,500,000 km. In order to achieve this mileage, the thickness of the brake disc friction rings is dimensioned accordingly (wear allowance). The weight of the brake disc (unsprung mass) is brought to technically sensible limits, which prevents an increase in mileage. 
  • On the other hand, the increase in mileage is counteracted by the corrosion of the brake discs. Commercial vehicle brake discs often corrode (rust) from the inside via the fan duct and collapse in the support structures before the wear limit (service life) of the friction ring is reached.
  • Increasing the mileage of the brake disk in commercial vehicles while simultaneously reducing the weight leads to a reduction in weight:
    a) corrosion protection of the secondary surfaces, in particular the fan ducts (solution: C4INOXit® corroproof) and 

    b) a significant reduction in wear on the friction surface (solution: C4INOXit® diamond).

Brake discs in rail vehicles 

  • Today, rail vehicles are equipped with cast steel wheel brake discs. Gray cast iron is not used because the surface hardness of gray cast iron on the friction belt cannot withstand the loads. However, gray cast iron is considerably cheaper to manufacture, which is why the industry is looking for a suitable gray cast iron solution. Due to the higher quality of cast steel, the problem of corrosion (rust) in the fan ducts of cast steel wheel brake discs is of secondary importance. 
  • A hard coating of gray cast iron wheel brake discs in combination with long-term corrosion protection for the fan duct structures enables the use of gray cast iron for wheel brake discs in rail vehicles and will lead to a reduction in wheel brake disc mass (solution: C4INOXit® diamond and C4INOXit® corroproof)

Industrial brake discs

  • Industrial brakes are often subject to significant wear, so that the primary objective of increasing service life is weighed against increased manufacturing costs and maintenance-related service life (solution: C4INOXit® diamond). 
  • Due to the frequently lower heating of industrial brake discs and the lower contact forces during the braking process, a coating exclusively with C4INOXit® corroproof both on the friction ring and on the secondary surfaces for corrosion protection and wear protection can be the cost-effective solution as an alternative.