What Are Brake Pads Made Of?
1 Answers
Automotive brake pads can be primarily categorized into the following types based on their materials: 1. Asbestos-type brake pads. These were the earliest type used in brake pads to enhance strength. Due to their low cost and certain high-temperature resistance, they were widely used. Asbestos materials have been medically proven to be carcinogenic and are now banned. 2. Semi-metallic brake pads. These mainly use metal materials to increase the strength of the brake pads, while also offering better temperature control and heat dissipation than traditional materials. Since these pads contain a higher proportion of metal, especially in low-temperature environments, excessive braking pressure can cause surface wear between the brake disc and drum, leading to noise. 3. Low-metallic brake pads. These are somewhat similar to semi-metallic brake pads, featuring fine fibers and particles, but with lower metal content. This reduces wear on the brake drum and minimizes noise, though the lifespan of these pads is shorter than that of semi-metallic ones. 4. Ceramic brake pads. These use new ceramic materials that are lightweight, heat-resistant, and wear-resistant, offering advantages such as no noise, no dust, no corrosion on wheel hubs, long service life, and environmental friendliness. 5. NAO (Non-Asbestos Organic) brake pads. These were developed as a replacement for asbestos. They offer benefits like no dust pollution, minimal wear, low noise, and significantly extended service life. Compared to asbestos brake pads, they perform better, especially in terms of being pollution-free, but they come at a higher cost.
