LOUISVILLE, Ky. – ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems business has expanded its DiscPlus air disc brakes family to include two EX225 models – available October 2003 throughout North America – for a wide variety of heavy-duty truck, specialty vehicles, and trailer applications.

The new disc brake will be offered in two configurations, designated the EX225L, a significantly lighter air disc brake over previous designs for linehaul applications, and the EX225H for heavier duty applications, such as coaches and fire trucks.

“The EX225 series air disc brake offers a significant advantage for North American OEMs and end-users’ braking needs,” says Rakesh Sachdev, vice-president and general manager, Worldwide Braking Systems. “We see this brake as an evolutionary new product that offers our customers better stopping power, lighter weight, and longer life.”

The EX225 series air disc brakes have a modular sliding caliper design, which installs in 22.5-inch wheel envelopes. The EX225L offers a 35 per cent increase in torque, a 15 per cent increase in wearable lining volume, and is 12 per cent lighter compared to its predecessor, the DX225.

The EX225H offers further increases in wearable lining volume and torque.

The brakes also include internal automatic adjustment for pad wear, sealed synchronized twin pistons and robust sealing of slide pins for environmental protection.

ArvinMeritor has also released the Meritor MA312 friction material. The new material provides superior stopping capabilities for the demanding applications of linehaul and vocational vehicle operations, the company claims, and surpasses FMVSS 121 requirements with both full cast and lightweight SteelLite X30 brake drums.

MA312 is 23,000 lb. gross axle weight rated (GAWR) material that up to 20 per cent longer life over comparable mixes, the company says. It can be used both on- and off-highway in a full variety of ground terrains and is recommended for construction, refuse and other heavy hauling applications. MA312 is rated for 23,000 lb. GAWR at 180 AL (T30 chamber x 6″ slack adjuster).