Warning Issued to Carbon Brake Owners

The FAA has warned operators with carbon brakes about problems with environmentally friendly organic salt runway de-icer fluids. Aircraft manufacturers have notified the FAA that spray between the wheels causes the de-icer fluid to coat carbon brake heat-sink (pressure) plates. The carbon absorbs the organic salts, causing a reaction that lowers the oxidation temperature, softening the carbon and causing it to flake and crumble, “reducing the long-term efficiency of the brakes.” The FAA is working with industry to modify de-icer fluid specifications.