Core Classification of Brake Pads: Performance Differences Determined by Materials
Currently, brake pads on the market are mainly classified based on the type of friction material. Brake pads made of different materials vary significantly in braking effect, wear resistance, quietness, and cost, and are suitable for different vehicle models and usage scenarios.
1. Resin-based Brake Pads (Organic Brake Pads)
Material Composition: Made with resin as a binder, mixed with filler materials such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, graphite, and a small amount of metal powder. They are currently the most mainstream type of brake pads for family cars.
Core Advantages: Excellent braking smoothness-when the brake pedal is pressed, the "feel" is soft without strong impact; outstanding quiet performance with extremely low noise during friction; minimal wear on brake discs, which can extend the service life of brake discs; light weight, which helps reduce the unsprung mass of the vehicle.
Applicable Scenarios: Family cars and SUVs used for daily urban driving, where vehicle speed and braking intensity are relatively moderate.
Precautions: Poor high-temperature resistance-when subjected to continuous high-intensity braking (such as downhill driving on mountain roads or aggressive driving), they are prone to "thermal fading" (decreased braking force). They are not suitable for high-performance sports cars or vehicles used for frequent off-roading.
2. Semi-metallic Brake Pads
Material Composition: Contain a relatively high proportion of metal (usually 30%-60%), including steel fibers, copper fibers, iron fibers, etc., combined with resin binders and friction modifiers.
Core Advantages: Better high-temperature resistance than resin-based brake pads, with a higher temperature threshold for thermal fading, making them suitable for medium-to-high intensity braking; strong wear resistance, with a service life 20%-30% longer than that of organic brake pads; stable braking torque, and less impact on braking effect in humid environments (rainy days).
Applicable Scenarios: Family cars that frequently travel on highways or mountain roads, as well as some commercial light trucks and SUVs, where stable braking performance is required.
Precautions: Relatively loud noise during friction-especially prone to "squealing" in low-temperature environments (after cold start in winter); relatively greater wear on brake discs, which may cause scratches on the brake disc surface after long-term use; heavy weight, which may slightly increase vehicle fuel consumption.
3. Ceramic Brake Pads
Material Composition: Use ceramic fibers and ceramic powder as the main friction materials, combined with a small amount of metal powder and resin binder. They have become a popular choice for high-end vehicle models and new energy vehicles in recent years (the "carbon-ceramic brake pads" mentioned earlier are an upgraded version of this category).
Core Advantages: Extremely strong high-temperature resistance-ordinary ceramic brake pads can withstand temperatures of 800-1200°C, while carbon-ceramic brake pads can even withstand temperatures above 1050°C, with almost no thermal fading; top-tier wear resistance, with a service life 3-5 times that of resin-based brake pads; stable friction coefficient, ensuring consistent braking effect in both dry and wet environments; excellent quiet performance, and no "black powder" (which contaminates wheel hubs) commonly seen with metal brake pads.
Applicable Scenarios: New energy vehicles (especially pure electric vehicles, which have heavy weight and high braking load), high-performance sports cars, luxury sedans, and users with high requirements for braking performance and durability.
Precautions: High cost-usually 2-4 times the price of resin-based brake pads; slightly inferior low-temperature braking performance compared to organic brake pads, with slightly weaker braking force at the initial stage of cold vehicle start (but it recovers quickly after the temperature rises).
4. Metal-based Brake Pads (Rarely Used)
Material Composition: Contain more than 70% metal, mainly made of cast iron and steel alloys. They are commonly used in traditional commercial vehicles such as trucks and lorries.
Core Advantages: Extremely strong wear resistance, capable of withstanding long-term braking under heavy loads; extremely strong high-temperature resistance, suitable for continuous braking when trucks are going downhill.
Applicable Scenarios: Heavy-duty trucks, engineering vehicles, and other heavy-load vehicle models.
Precautions: Extremely loud noise during braking, causing severe wear on brake discs; poor braking smoothness with a "stiff" pedal feel, making them unsuitable for family cars.
