<VV> Effect of Steam in Brake Systems

[Bill Elliott]

Air (even heavily moisture laden superheated air...steam...) is compressible, fluids are not.

Boiling brake fluid is also compressible (why the boiling points are so low) with "wet" brake fluid having an even lower boiling point. Silicone fluid generally 
has a higher boiling point than glycol fluids, but the water/moisture that comes out of suspension and pools has a lower boiling point than any of the above. 

Bill

On Wed, 6 Jul 2005 18:00:45 -0400, N. Joseph Potts wrote:

>Bill Elliot just advised that the formation of steam in a brake system would
>cause the pedal to drop to the floor. Personally (I don't think) I have any
>experience of a steamy brake system, although I'm sure I've put in a lot of
>miles with damp ones.
>     It SEEMS to me that flash evaporation of water in a hot brake system
>would have the same effect as it does in a steam engine - it would expand
>forcefully and lock up the brake system (INCREASING rather than DECREASING
>the volume occupied by fluids in the close brake system).
>     Can anyone elaborate on this process for me?

>Joe Potts
>Miami, Florida USA
>1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C and DOT 5 brake fluid

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