Force Control Industries has announced that its MagnaShear hazardous duty (MHD) motor brakes have received Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approval for hazardous duty applications across North America.

The CSA-approved brakes use the company's Oil Shear Technology and are available with torque capacities ranging from 3 to 1,250 pound-feet. According to Force Control Industries, the design provides long service life with virtually no maintenance or brake adjustment.

MagnaShear hazardous duty brakes feature a Quick Mount design that allows direct installation on standard National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 56C through 449TC motors. The enclosed, sealed construction helps protect the brakes from dirt, moisture and other contaminants, making them suitable for severe-duty and washdown environments.

The brakes are intended for applications that require frequent stopping or accurate positioning, including cranes, hoists, winches, ship and railcar loading and unloading conveyors, and tipper cars.

Unlike conventional dry brakes, MagnaShear brakes transmit torque through a thin film of automatic transmission fluid between friction discs and drive plates. According to Force Control Industries, this Oil Shear Technology minimizes wear by transmitting torque through the fluid rather than direct friction, reducing the need for periodic air-gap adjustments.

The brakes also incorporate a patented fluid recirculation system that removes heat from the friction stack while lubricating internal components, including bearings, seals and friction elements. The company says the enclosed oil-filled design also prevents condensation-related corrosion and brake lockup that can occur with enclosed dry-friction brakes used outdoors.

MagnaShear hazardous duty brakes are available for direct mounting on NEMA 56C through 449TC motor frames, with metric and custom mounting options available upon request. Hazardous duty models are offered in 115-volt AC configurations and can be equipped with options such as an encoder stub shaft or manual hand release. Factory-assembled brake motors are also available for application-specific requirements.