Chopped Fiber Carbon Ceramic Brake Discs vs Continuous Fiber: CCM, CCB and Gen 3 Explained
Updated: Oct 28
Chopped fiber carbon ceramic brake discs are the construction behind many factory carbon ceramic systems, and how they’re built explains why they wear the way they do and why replacing them costs so much. Our Gen 3 discs take a different route, with continuous carbon fibers and a thick silicon carbide friction layer.
This guide explains the main types, names the companies behind them, and gives you a checklist for judging any carbon ceramic disc, ours included.
What a carbon ceramic disc is made of
A carbon ceramic disc is carbon fiber set in a silicon carbide matrix. In the chopped fiber process that Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes describes, chopped carbon fiber bundles are pressed with a resin binder, baked at around 900°C, then infiltrated with liquid silicon at around 1700°C, which forms the silicon carbide. The finished disc weighs roughly half as much as cast iron. Our post on unsprung weight explains why that matters so much at the wheel.
The names: CCM, CCB and CCM-R
CCM
CCM is Brembo’s carbon ceramic material. Brembo settled on chopped carbon fiber in silicon carbide as its road-car solution and patented its CCM and the process that makes it. The first road car to use it was the Ferrari Enzo. In the terms of the Brembo SGL joint venture, a CCM disc is made only of that fiber-reinforced silicon carbide, with no separate friction layer on top. The Corvette ZR1, for one, has carried CCM brakes since it launched.
CCB
A CCB disc has the same kind of core but adds a ceramic friction layer on both braking surfaces. One technical guide notes that German manufacturers tend to prefer CCB, while Italian and Japanese makers have favored CCM. Porsche’s PCCB is a well-documented example: a carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic core covered with an additional ceramic friction layer. A 2009 industry report listed Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Porsche among the customers of SGL Carbon, one half of the Brembo SGL joint venture.
CCM-R
Brembo has pushed the material further for racing and hypercars. Its CCM-R Plus uses a 3D structure of elongated carbon fibers in a carbon matrix. Lamborghini says the CCM-R discs on the Huracán STO deliver four times the thermal conductivity of traditional CCB.
Gen 3
Our Gen 3 discs use continuous, long carbon fibers in a 3D bonded structure, with a reinforced silicon carbide friction layer close to 1mm thick. They’re built as direct replacements for specific factory discs.
The three constructions side by side
Fiber | Friction layer | Where you’ll find it | |
CCM | Chopped carbon fiber in silicon carbide | No separate friction layer | Cars that use Brembo’s CCM, such as the Corvette ZR1 |
CCB | Chopped fiber core | Ceramic friction layer on both braking surfaces | Common on German cars, for example Porsche PCCB |
Triton Gen 3 | Continuous, long fibers in a 3D bonded structure | Reinforced silicon carbide layer close to 1mm thick | Direct replacements for specific factory discs |
Are chopped fiber carbon ceramic brake discs bad?
No. They’re proven, and they work well on the cars they were designed for. When Brembo launched its CCM discs for the aftermarket, it quoted roughly 150,000 km of road life, and far less for extreme track use. What owners run into is the replacement bill, which our guides to Porsche PCCB replacement, McLaren replacement and AMG replacement cover. Gen 3 is for owners who want to stay on carbon ceramic and would like a different construction when it’s time to replace.
What Gen 3 changes
The idea is simple. Chopped fibers are short, so the fiber network has many breaks in it. Continuous fibers don’t, and we bond them in a 3D structure so the disc is held together in every direction.
We’re not the only ones working with long fibers. Brembo’s CCM-R Plus uses elongated fibers, and GM’s C8 ZR1 offers an Alcon carbon ceramic system built with continuously woven carbon fiber. What we do is build continuous-fiber discs as direct replacements for specific factory discs, so you keep your calipers and your car’s setup.
The friction layer is the surface the pad actually rubs, and ours is reinforced silicon carbide close to 1mm thick. Friction layers vary widely, and SGL’s patent literature describes layers from at least 0.1mm up to 1mm or more.
You can see how this plays out on specific cars in our guides for the Nissan GT-R R35, the Mercedes-AMG E63S and the BMW M3 and M4.
How to judge any carbon ceramic disc
Whoever you buy from, ask for these in writing:
Fiber structure. Chopped or continuous? A seller who can’t say is telling you something.
Friction layer. Is there one, what is it made of, and how thick is it?
Exact fitment. Does the page list your model, years, sizes and the factory part numbers it replaces?
Pads. Which pads does it need, and are they included?
Warranty. What does it cover and exclude?
Lead time. Is it in stock or built to order, and how long does it take?
Returns. What happens if it doesn’t fit?
Price alone isn’t a verdict, and neither is a name. The answers tell you far more.
For reference, here’s how we answer. Our discs use continuous long fibers and a reinforced silicon carbide friction layer close to 1mm thick. Each page lists sizes and the factory part numbers. Conversion kits include matched pads, and replacement discs are sold without them. The warranty is one year or 36,000 miles against manufacturer defects, and it doesn’t cover improper installation. Lead times are on each product page, because the discs are built to order. Only unopened, unused rotors can be returned, with a 20% restocking fee plus shipping.
Pads and bedding matter as much as the discs
Carbon ceramic discs need pads made for them, because pads for iron discs wear the friction layer quickly. Our guide to the best pads for carbon ceramic brakes covers the options. New discs and pads also need a proper bed-in, which our bedding-in guide walks through.
Replace or refurbish?
Unlike iron rotors, a worn carbon ceramic disc can’t simply be machined back to spec. Whether refurbishing makes sense depends on the disc and the damage, and our post on refurbishing vs replacement covers when each is the better call. If you’re comparing carbon ceramic with the racing material that shares its name, see carbon ceramic vs carbon-carbon brakes, and our stopping distance post covers what changes when you move from iron.
Frequently asked questions
What does CCM mean on carbon ceramic brake discs?
CCM is Brembo’s carbon ceramic material: chopped carbon fiber in a silicon carbide matrix, with no separate friction layer.
What’s the difference between CCM and CCB?
A CCB disc has the same type of fiber-reinforced silicon carbide core but adds a ceramic friction layer on both braking surfaces.
Which type do German cars use?
Porsche’s PCCB is a CCB-type disc, with a fiber-reinforced ceramic core and an additional ceramic friction layer. One industry guide says German manufacturers generally prefer CCB. To check your own car, look at your build sheet or send us your VIN.
What is CCM-R?
CCM-R is Brembo’s racing-derived carbon ceramic material, and the CCM-R Plus uses a 3D structure of elongated carbon fibers in a carbon matrix.
Are chopped fiber carbon ceramic brake discs bad?
No. They’re proven and work well on the cars they were designed for. The main drawback for owners is the cost of replacing them.
How are Gen 3 discs different?
Gen 3 discs use continuous, long carbon fibers in a 3D bonded structure with a reinforced silicon carbide friction layer close to 1mm thick, and they’re built as direct replacements for specific factory discs.
Do carbon ceramic discs need special pads?
Yes. They need pads made for carbon ceramic. Pads for iron discs wear the friction layer quickly.
Can worn carbon ceramic discs be machined back like iron rotors?
No. Unlike iron, you can’t simply machine them back to spec. Whether refurbishing makes sense depends on the disc and the damage.
How do I know if my car has carbon ceramic brakes?
Check your build sheet or window sticker, or send us your VIN and we’ll tell you.
What should I ask a supplier before buying carbon ceramic discs?
Ask about the fiber structure, the friction layer, exact fitment and factory part numbers, pads, warranty terms, lead time and return policy, and get the answers in writing.
The bottom line
Chopped fiber discs, CCB discs with a friction layer, and continuous fiber Gen 3 discs are different ways to build the same kind of brake, and each has a place. What matters is knowing what you’re buying. Send us your model, year and VIN and we’ll tell you which disc fits. Browse our carbon ceramic brakes or contact us.
Questions? Email info@tritonmotorsportsusa.com or call +1-469-553-0077.
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