Difference between Hydraulic Brake and Air Brake (Comparison Chart)

Comparison between Hydraulic Brake and Air Brake

Contents

In vehicles, there are two types of Breaks, Hydraulic Brake and Air Brake. The Key Difference between Hydraulic Brake and Air Brake is that Hydraulic Brake uses hydraulic fluid or Oil as a medium whereas Air Brake uses compressed air as a medium.
Hydraulic brake is also known as Oil break.
Air break is also known as a Pneumatic brake.

	Hydraulic Brake	Air Brake
1	A large effort is required to operate the brake pedal.	Less effort is required to operate the brake pedal.
2	Hydraulic brake has less power.	Air brake has more power.
3	Hydraulic brakes are used in light vehicles.	Air brake used in heavy vehicles.
4	The break shoe will be destroyed if the brake fluid leaks out on it.	The brake shoe will not be affected due to leakage of air.
5	Brake fluid can not be for other purposes.	The compressed air can also be used for tyre inflation, windscreen wiper, etc.
6	It is a self-lubricating system, hence offering less friction.	Frictional losses are more.
7	It requires fewer moving parts, hence construction is simple.	It requires relatively more parts, hence construction is complicated.
8	Engine power is not required to run the system.	The compressor requires engine power to operate the system.
9	The brakes will not work even if a small amount of fluid leaks out.	The brakes will work if there is a small amount of air leakage.
10	The initial cost is less.	The initial cost is more.