The　disk-pad　brake　used　in　an　automobile　is　divided　into　two　parts:　the　disk,　geometrically　axisymmetric;　and　the　pad,　of　which　the　geometry　is　three-dimensional.　Using　a　two-dimensional　model　for　thermal　analysis　implies　that　the　contact　conditions　and　frictional　heat　flux　transfer　are　independent　of　theta.　This　may　lead　to　false　thermal　elastic　distortions　and　unrealistic　contact　conditions.　An　analytical　model　is　presented　in　this　paper　for　the　determination　of　the　contact　temperature　distribution　on　the　working　surface　of　a　brake.　To　consider　the　effects　of　the　moving　heat　source　(the　pad)　with　relative　sliding　speed　variation,　a　transient　finite　element　technique　is　used　to　characterize　the　temperature　fields　of　the　solid　rotor　with　appropriate　thermal　boundary　conditions.　Numerical　results　shows　that　the　operating　characteristics　of　the　brake　exert　an　essentially　influence　on　the　surface　temperature　distribution　and　the　maximal　contact　temperature.　(C)　2002　Elsevier　Science　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.