Brake fluid

Brake fluid is a type of <a href="/facts/Hydraulic_fluid/6ySxLhq5">hydraulic fluid</a> used in <a href="/facts/Hydraulic_brake/IfEbsSAl">hydraulic brake</a> and <a href="/facts/Clutch/yQLCtuGA">hydraulic clutch</a> applications in <a href="/facts/Automobile/I1IsH8IK">automobiles</a>, <a href="/facts/Motorcycle/owLPEqSr">motorcycles</a>, <a href="/facts/Light_truck/eHWSEeo2">light trucks</a>, and some <a href="/facts/Bicycle/nxBVrlBF">bicycles</a>. It is used to transfer force into pressure, and to <a href="/facts/Pascals_law/YhLSkQwQ">amplify</a> braking force. It works because <a href="/facts/Liquid/t9GkLWzt">liquids</a> are not appreciably <a href="/facts/Compression_(physical)/2wwcVmM0">compressible</a>.
Most brake fluids used today are <a href="/facts/Glycol_ethers/4LL9PrnU">glycol-ether</a> based, but <a href="/facts/Mineral_oil/KjXl9BUo">mineral oil</a> (<a href="/facts/Citro%25C3%25ABn/cF96vY9S">Citroën</a>/<a href="/facts/Rolls-Royce_Motor_Cars/b1IIKgds">Rolls-Royce</a> liquide hydraulique minéral (<a href="/facts/Hydropneumatic_suspension/052YKEfl">LHM</a>)) and <a href="/facts/Silicone/4AX8YA5m">silicone</a>-based (DOT 5) fluids are also available.
The origins of modern braking systems date back to an event more than a century ago - in 1917, Scotsman Malcolm Lockheed patented a hydraulic actuated braking system. Initially, vegetable oil was used as a working fluid. But it did not meet the most basic requirements, and in the process of evolution, special brake fluids were created, which consist of a base and a package of additives (thickeners, anti-corrosion additives, colorants).

Brake fluid open-in-new

Brake fluid