Did you know that there are different types of brake pads you can install in your car? There are three materials that brake pads are made of and that each of them has their own benefits and flaws.
Ceramic brake pads – The name says it all: they are mainly made of ceramic material and have copper fibres embedded within the composition. Originally, they were made to prevent how much dust and noise was being made.
Benefits:
- Quieter than semi-metallic pads because of the higher frequency being made impossible for us to hear.
- They produce finer dust that doesn’t stick to the wheels. Dust in the wheel could alter driving experience that should be avoided.
- They generally have a longer life span than the organic and semi metallic models. The material is so strong that it is difficult to wear away quickly.
- These brake pads also do well under fluctuating temperatures from cold to hot without changing the way you drive.
Flaws:
- Because of the strength they contain they tend to be more expensive.
- Although they do well in different temperatures, they could fail in freezing weather. They also don’t absorb heat too well.
- These brake parts aren’t fit for forceful and sudden braking in cases such as racing and industrial driving.
Organic brake pads also known as Non-asbestos organic (NAO). They contain glass, fibre, rubber, carbon and Kevlar all joined together with special resin.
Benefits:
- They are soft and quiet making it a comfortable drive. They also produce less dust than semi metallic pads.
- They produce friction without too much heat needed.
- It is cheap and suitable for everyday driving under different weather conditions.
Flaws:
- They work well in specific weather conditions but in extreme conditions you could be dealing with brake failure.
- They wear much quicker than other types of materials.
- They can’t be used for performance driving because high heat could damage the material.
Semi Metallic Brake Pads – These brake pads are made of steel, iron and copper. These metals are combined with friction modifiers and fillers and graphite lubricant.
Benefits:
- Braking performance is better than that of the organic pads.
- They can withstand higher heats because of the metallic content.
- They last longer than the organic material.
- It can be used for racing and everyday use.
Flaws:
- They are generally quite noisy
- They tend to produce the most dust which could damage your wheels.
- They wear brake rotors relatively quickly.
A Brake pad replacement could be important when one of these flaws happen.