Starfire Systems Inc. (
"Our collaboration with Thorn Tree comes on the heels of our recently announced technological advancements to our Polymer-to-Ceramic Composite (PTCC) Friction Materials," says Al Cornell, VP of sales and business development for Starfire Systems, Inc. "Starfire technology enhances customer products, adding market value and providing them with a clear competitive edge. As a raw material and technology supplier, we are eager to continue development with Thorn Tree, and are looking forward to adopting our Polymer-to Ceramic technology for use in more commercially viable products."
The partnership comes with great improvements to Thorn Tree's Turbine Rotor Division's lightweight brake technology. In addition to broadening the product line, Starfire's technology reportedly will allow Thorn Tree to offer a competitive price point on high-performance carbon ceramic rotors, which are used in the performance and racing communities, but have historically been too costly for mass the mass market.
"We have subjected the combined Turbine Rotors and Starfire technologies to on-car, brake dynamometer and FEA testing, and have been very impressed with the braking characteristics," says Ralph Hansen, president of Thorn Tree Technology. "The performance and racing benefits of these rotors are significant, and with the competitive price point we are in a prime position to appeal to a much broader market segment."
The Turbine Rotors brand leverages patented segmented design and composite technologies that are extensively tested using SAE test protocols.