How Many Types of Car Brake Pads Are There?

[DeStephen]

There are three types of car brake pads. They are semi-metallic brake pads, carbon fiber brake pads, and ceramic brake pads. Car brake pads, also known as car brake linings, refer to the friction materials fixed on the brake drum or brake disc that rotates with the wheel. The friction linings and friction blocks within them withstand external pressure to generate friction, thereby achieving the purpose of vehicle deceleration. Classification of car brake pads: Semi-metallic brake pads, which use metal fibers (coarse steel wool) instead of asbestos fibers. Other parts are mainly reinforced with materials such as glass fiber and aromatic polyester fiber. Their advantage is that they are inexpensive, but the disadvantage is that their heat resistance is not very good. Because metal conducts heat, they are prone to thermal fade and have a relatively short service life. Carbon fiber brake pads, which are widely used in the aerospace field. Their characteristics include strong thermal conductivity and extremely high temperature resistance. Even with prolonged continuous braking, they can ensure no brake failure. Additionally, carbon fiber brake pads have lower wear on both themselves and the brake discs compared to semi-metallic brake pads, which not only extends the lifespan of the brake pads but also prolongs the service life of the brake discs. Ceramic brake pads, which are not actually made of ceramic but are a mixture of ceramic fibers and other fiber materials. They achieve hardness, wear resistance, and reduced dust generation through organic binder curing. The advantages of ceramic brake pads are that they are relatively durable, have good heat dissipation, provide shorter braking distances, and offer relatively better resistance to thermal fade.

[VonSarah]

Last time I went to get my car repaired, I learned that brake pads aren’t just one type—there are mainly two categories. Disc brake pads are used on the front wheels of most modern cars and are further divided into organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic materials. Organic ones are cheaper but produce dust when braking, semi-metallic ones are wear-resistant but may occasionally squeak in winter, while ceramic ones offer high performance and quiet operation but are much more expensive. Drum brake pads are commonly found on rear wheels, especially in some older cars, and are mainly organic or semi-metallic—cost-effective but with poorer heat dissipation and more cumbersome to replace. From a driving perspective, the choice depends on your habits: organic ones are sufficient for city commuting, while ceramic ones are better for mountain roads or aggressive driving—safety first, never cut corners for convenience.

[LaylaDella]

As someone who has been helping people replace parts for years, I've seen all types of brake pads, but in reality there are only two: disc and drum. Disc brakes are the modern mainstream, categorized by materials such as organic composites, semi-metallic hybrids, and premium ceramic options—organic ones wear easily but are low-cost, semi-metallic ones are durable and can last tens of thousands of kilometers more, while ceramic ones are expensive but produce less dust. Drum brakes are mostly used for rear wheels, typically made of low-cost organic or semi-metallic materials, with simple designs and cheap repairs, but they have slightly longer braking distances, so caution is needed. When doing routine car repairs, I advise owners to check regularly—disc brakes need more frequent replacement, inspected every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, while drum brakes might stretch to 40,000 or 50,000 kilometers. The key is to listen for grinding sounds as a warning—don't wait until the brakes fail to slam on them.

[AdrielDella]

After driving for so many years, I can simply say there are two main types of brake pads: disc and drum. Disc brakes are mostly used on the front wheels of most cars, with materials ranging from basic organic, more durable semi-metallic, to high-end ceramic. Drum brakes are often found on the rear wheels of older cars, affordable but a hassle to replace. Personally, I choose based on usage—organic for commuting for peace of mind, semi-metallic for weekend highway driving for longer durability, while ceramic is too expensive and unnecessary. Remember, if you hear squeaking or the brakes feel soft, get them checked. They usually need replacement every 40,000 to 50,000 kilometers. Safety comes first, don't risk an accident to save money.