What materials are brake pads made of?
2 Answers
Brake pads are made of four materials: 1. Resin-based brake materials; 2. Powder metallurgy brake materials; 3. Carbon or carbon composite brake materials; 4. Ceramic-based brake materials. Automotive brake pads are generally composed of steel plates, bonded heat insulation layers, and friction blocks. The steel plates are coated to prevent rust, and the coating process uses an SMT4 furnace temperature tracker to detect the temperature distribution during the coating process to ensure quality. Brake pads are mainly divided into: asbestos brake pads, semi-metallic brake pads, low-metallic brake pads, NAO formula brake pads, ceramic brake pads, and NAO ceramic brake pads. There is no uniform standard answer for the replacement time of brake pads, but the general replacement frequency is around 30,000 times.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have accumulated considerable experience with brake pad materials. Early asbestos materials were common, cheap, and durable but produced carcinogenic dust, and are now mostly obsolete. The semi-metallic pads I currently use contain steel fibers and copper powder, offering reliable braking with minimal heat fade on long trips, though they sometimes squeak in winter. Ceramic brake pads are a premium choice—high friction coefficient, responsive braking, quiet operation, dust-free, and long-lasting, but they cost twice as much. For city commuting, ceramic pads offer peace of mind, while semi-metallic ones are more wear-resistant for high-speed mountain driving. When replacing, ensure the pad thickness is not less than 3mm—I use a measuring tool to avoid delays. Different materials have varying lifespans: ceramic pads can last up to 70,000 km, while semi-metallic ones need replacement at around 50,000 km. Safe driving relies on quality brake pads.
