Surface Transform receives £1m research grant

SURFACE Transforms has received a £1.2m grant to help fund a collaborative research project.

The Cheshire firm has secured the funding from the Technology Strategy Board as part of a £2.1m project to develop ceramic disks, using both waste carbon and “contemporary manufacturing processes”.

It said the objectives are improved friction characteristics and substantially reduced wear with the development of a method that will allow worn ceramic disks to be resurfaced for use again.

The company has joined forces with braking systems manufacturer Faiveley Transport, Alcon Components which makes brake systems for high performance cars, Bentley Motors, Federal-Mogul Friction Products and Loughborough University.

Surface Transforms is the lead company and project co-ordinator and will be supplying the technology for the manufacture of carbon ceramic brake discs.

Kevin D’Silva, Surface Transform chairman said: “This is the second time that the company has been successful in accessing Technology Strategy Board investment finding.  We are pleased that the board has approved the company as co-ordinator for this project.”