What Materials Are Used for Brake Pads?
2 Answers
Brake pads are made from the following materials: 1. Asbestos brake pads: These were the earliest materials used in brake pads to enhance strength. Due to their low cost and certain high-temperature resistance, they were widely used. However, asbestos has been medically proven to be carcinogenic and is now banned. 2. Semi-metallic brake pads: Visually, they have fine fibers and particles, making them easily distinguishable from asbestos and NAO types. Compared to traditional brake materials, they primarily use metal materials to increase the strength of the brake pads. Additionally, their temperature control and heat dissipation capabilities are superior to traditional materials. 3. Low-metallic brake pads: These appear somewhat similar to semi-metallic brake pads, with fine fibers and particles. The difference is that they have a lower metal content than semi-metallic pads, which reduces brake drum wear and noise. However, their lifespan is shorter than semi-metallic pads. 4. Ceramic brake pads: This formulation uses new ceramic materials that are lightweight, heat-resistant, and wear-resistant. They offer advantages such as no noise, no dust, no corrosion to wheel hubs, long service life, and environmental friendliness. 5. NAO (Non-Asbestos Organic) brake pads: These were developed as a replacement for asbestos. They have the benefits of no dust pollution, minimal wear, low noise, and a significantly extended service life.
I've personally driven several cars and have a lot of experience with brake pad materials. Common types include semi-metallic, organic, and ceramic. Semi-metallic ones are the most widely used, mainly because they're affordable and offer strong braking power, but the downside is they tend to generate noise and dust, making the wheels dirty faster. Organic materials are usually resin-based, cheaper, and suitable for daily commuting, but they don't last long and need replacement after about 20,000 kilometers. Ceramic materials are quite popular now, especially in high-end cars. They reduce dust pollution and provide smoother braking, though they're a bit more expensive. Choosing the right material depends on your driving habits. If you often drive on mountain roads or highways, ceramic ones are more heat-resistant and won't fail after continuous braking. Overall, I recommend regularly checking the thickness of your brake pads—safety first.
