What Material Are Brake Pads Made Of?

[MarianaRose]

Brake pads are made of metal and ceramic materials. Here are the relevant details: 1. Metal brake pads can be further divided into low-metallic and semi-metallic brake pads. 2. Semi-metallic brake pads have good heat resistance, high power absorption per unit area, and high thermal conductivity, making them suitable for braking requirements under high-speed and heavy-load conditions. They are commonly used in regular passenger cars, but they have drawbacks such as loud braking noise and brittle edges. Low-metallic brake pads, on the other hand, offer better performance than semi-metallic ones and are more commonly used in mid-range vehicles. 3. Compared to metal brake pads, ceramic brake pads are better, as they are harder and more wear-resistant. 4. Genuine ceramic brake pads contain aramid fibers and no metal, providing excellent thermal stability, low thermal conductivity, and good wear resistance. They meet the high-performance requirements of various high-performance braking materials and can fulfill technical demands such as high-speed braking, safety, and high wear resistance. They are more commonly used in high-performance sports cars.

[DelParker]

Back when I drove a taxi, I paid special attention to brake pad materials since safety always comes first when driving daily in the city. There are three common types: semi-metallic, ceramic, and organic composite. The semi-metallic ones are cheaper but noisier, making squeaky sounds during braking and leaving black dust on the rims. Ceramic pads are more expensive but much quieter with less dust, making them ideal for frequent highway drivers. Organic pads, made with materials like fiberglass, are gentle on rotors but wear out faster. The choice depends on your typical driving conditions—if you often drive on mountain roads, semi-metallic pads with better heat dissipation are preferable. Remember to drive gently for the first few hundred kilometers after installing new brake pads to allow proper bedding-in, otherwise it may affect their lifespan.

[Francisco]

Last week, I just replaced the brake pads on my old car and took the opportunity to research the materials. There are mainly three types: Semi-metallic compounds are the cheapest, containing metal powders like copper and iron. They provide strong braking power but can generate noise and are prone to grinding grooves into the brake discs during high summer temperatures. Ceramic compounds, which incorporate ceramic fibers into the metal, offer exceptionally quiet operation and significantly reduce dust, though they cost a few hundred more. Organic materials are mostly metal-free, relying on a mix of resins and rubber. They are the most brake disc-friendly but need replacement every 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers. For regular family cars, ceramic compounds are recommended for hassle-free use, especially for families with children, given that brake dust containing heavy metals isn’t exactly healthy.

[MacCharlotte]

Last time at the car enthusiasts' gathering, we talked about brake pads and realized most people don't understand the materials. Actually, there are two mainstream types now: semi-metallic formulas containing 30%-70% metal, which are affordable with strong braking power but noisy and produce black dust; ceramic formulas containing mineral wool and a small amount of copper wire, which are the most expensive but quiet and eco-friendly, suitable for electric or hybrid vehicles. The asbestos-containing ones from the past have long been phased out—that dust is carcinogenic. When choosing, you can also look at the color: gray-black usually indicates semi-metallic, while copper or light gray typically means ceramic. Remember, after installing new brake pads, drive gently for the first 200 kilometers as a break-in period, otherwise, the braking might be insufficient, which is dangerous.