Clutchskiver

Clutchskiver, commonly referred to in English as clutch discs or clutch plates, are components in a clutch system that transmit torque from an engine or motor to a driven shaft by means of friction. They are typically circular, with a central hub and a friction surface or a steel core, and they are arranged in a stack that engages and disengages transmission of power.

There are two main types within a clutch assembly: friction discs and steel discs. Friction discs have a friction material bonded to one or both faces and are responsible for transferring torque when pressed against a flywheel or a pressure plate. Steel discs, or separator discs, serve as the non-friction counterparts that carry torque while allowing heat dissipation. In many systems, especially multi-disc clutches used in heavy machinery or some motorcycles, friction and steel discs are alternated in a stack.

Materials used for friction discs include organic resin compounds, sintered metal, and ceramic-based composites, chosen for wear resistance, heat tolerance, and friction characteristics. Steel discs are typically made from hardened steel. In wet clutches, the discs operate while bathed in oil, which helps with cooling and lubrication; in dry clutches, the discs operate in air and rely more on material properties to manage heat.

Applications span automotive manual transmissions, motorcycles, heavy machinery, marine engines, and industrial equipment. Wear of clutch discs is monitored by measuring material thickness and the condition of the friction surface; overheating, glazing, or glazing of the material can degrade performance. Replacement is often performed as part of a clutch kit, especially in multi-disc configurations, to restore proper torque transmission and engagement feel.