Carbon-ceramic brake discs are a different material system from steel — the full name is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Silicon Carbide Ceramic Matrix Composite. TEI builds two versions, TCCB and TCCB-R, for two different kinds of build.
See which kits fit carbon ceramic
TCCB vs. TCCB-R
TCCB is a one-piece molded, short-fiber carbon-ceramic disc. The process is stable and the cost is controllable, which is why it's the version used in Porsche and other supercar OEM high-performance brakes, and in high-end passenger vehicles generally. For most builds, TCCB is the disc that balances performance and practicality.
TCCB-R is long-fiber. It's a more complex, higher-cost process that's harder to produce at volume — but it can be custom-made to OEM specification. Long-fiber carbon-ceramic originated in aerospace, high-speed rail, and other extreme-performance applications before being adapted for street use. Choose TCCB-R when you need a custom size outside TCCB's standard range.
What carbon-ceramic changes
- Lighter — less unsprung mass at each corner than an equivalent steel disc.
- Fade-resistant — engineered to hold up under sustained, repeated heavy braking without losing bite.
- Long-lived — rated for up to 300,000 km of street use.
- Quiet options — paired with the right pad, everyday driving stays civilized (see below).
Why the surface looks cracked — and why that's normal
You'll likely notice fine surface cracks on a carbon-ceramic disc face. That's expected, not a defect. The silicon carbide (SiC) coating and the disc body underneath have different thermal expansion coefficients. During high-temperature manufacturing they expand together; as the disc cools, the two layers contract at different rates, and that mismatch creates internal stress. The stress releases as fine surface cracks — the same mechanism behind the glaze crackle pattern on ancient Jun kiln ceramics.
Brake pads built for carbon-ceramic
TEI carbon-ceramic discs are matched to two pad grades:
- X-TTA — quiet and comfortable, for everyday driving. Friction coefficient 0.4, rated to 500°C. Not intended for aggressive or track driving.
- G-TTA — sport performance. Friction coefficient 0.42–0.45, rated to 700°C. Can be noisier than X-TTA.
Neither grade is intended for track use. For track driving, pair your carbon-ceramic discs with German PAGID RSC1 carbon-ceramic-specific pads and add brake cooling.
Sourcing & lead times
Front discs in TEI's common size range ship from stock — no custom wait. Custom rear carbon-ceramic discs that keep your OEM calipers are made to order, with a typical lead time of 60–90 days. Custom sizing costs more than a standard size, and a disc cut to one vehicle's OEM spec may not carry over if you change cars later.
See which kits fit carbon ceramic
TCCB and TCCB-R are available today on select TEI kits and as a custom rotor. See which kits fit carbon ceramic.
What to confirm before ordering
Carbon-ceramic discs are a vehicle- and configuration-specific upgrade. Before ordering, confirm the vehicle year, make and model, wheel specifications, front or rear application, the required disc size, and the brake-pad compound specified for the disc. If the rear parking-brake system, wheel clearance or vehicle configuration is unusual, contact us for a manual check before placing the order.
Tell us how the vehicle is used — daily driving, road trips, heavy-duty use or track driving — so we can confirm whether the selected disc and pad combination is appropriate. Custom applications may require additional confirmation before production.
Carbon-ceramic reference images
