After a maximum braking operation, when do the brakes reach their hottest temperature?

After a maximum braking operation, when do the brakes reach their hottest temperature?

• A. 1-5 minutes after braking
• B. 15-20 minutes after braking
• C. 20-30 minutes after braking
• D. During braking

Answer: (B)

The heat in brakes builds up from the energy dissipated during braking, but the hottest temperature isn’t reached while you’re still applying the brakes. Right after braking ends, heat continues to soak through the brake components and diffuse from the inner parts toward the rubbing surfaces. This thermal lag means the peak temperature occurs a short time after braking has ceased. For many aircraft brake systems, that peak temperature shows up about 15–20 minutes after braking, with cooler conditions and better airflow shortening or lengthening that window depending on how aggressively you braked and the environment. After that peak, the brakes begin to cool as air flow removes the heat.

The heat in brakes builds up from the energy dissipated during braking, but the hottest temperature isn’t reached while you’re still applying the brakes. Right after braking ends, heat continues to soak through the brake components and diffuse from the inner parts toward the rubbing surfaces. This thermal lag means the peak temperature occurs a short time after braking has ceased. For many aircraft brake systems, that peak temperature shows up about 15–20 minutes after braking, with cooler conditions and better airflow shortening or lengthening that window depending on how aggressively you braked and the environment. After that peak, the brakes begin to cool as air flow removes the heat.