Disc brakes brake fluid

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PeterLe
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2019 8:08 pm

by PeterLe

Hello,

I'm wondering if anybody has considered to use water (destilled or tap) as a brake fluid?

Considering the temperatures of the brake pads I don't think it would reach boiling temperature.

Would you think it would work with Shimano as well as SRAM?
If not can you specify why?

If it works, could it bring cross compatibility between SRAM and Shimano?

Best regards,
Peter

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LiquidCooled
Posts: 218
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2017 5:46 am

by LiquidCooled

I’m pretty sure you can get the brake fluid temp above 100 degrees C without much difficulty, even on a bike. Mineral oil boiling point is around 260 C, just as a point of reference.

Besides that, water will rust the components.
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IrrelevantD
Posts: 857
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: Near DFW Airport

by IrrelevantD

Both Mineral Oil and DOT 4 brake fluid have a lower freezing point as well (DOT4 is -53ºF). Water would additionally have lower usability in cold weather environments.

Wouldn't afect me, I don't ride when it's freezing, but that's mostly because people here in Texas can't figure out how to turn off their sprinkler systems when we get freeze warnings.
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MichaelB
Posts: 993
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:31 am

by MichaelB

Um, nope.

Why would, it's not like the proper stuff designed for the job is expensive, deadly or heavy

spud
Posts: 1266
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:52 am

by spud

water wouldn't lubricate any of the moving parts and would rust any steel parts (check valves etc). Also has high surface tension so bleeding would be a bitch. In other words, there are multiple reasons why no vehicle mfg uses water as a hydraulic brake fluid.

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