Detailed Explanation of Brake Pad Industry Knowledge: A Key Component Related to Driving Safety
Among the numerous components of an automobile, brake pads may seem ordinary, but they are a key component related to driving safety. As Shandong Huaruifeng Machinery Co., Ltd., which has been deeply engaged in the brake pad field for many years, we will take you to have an in-depth understanding of the industry knowledge of brake pads today.
1. The Function of Brake Pads
The core function of brake pads is to closely cooperate with brake discs or brake drums, and achieve the deceleration or stop of the vehicle by generating friction torque. In the braking system, it can be called the most critical safety component, and the quality of all braking effects is almost determined by the brake pads. For example, when you need to brake urgently during high-speed driving, whether the brake pads can respond quickly and generate sufficient friction is directly related to whether an accident can be avoided.
2. The Composition of Brake Pads
Brake pads are mainly composed of a steel back (a shoe for drum brakes) and a lining. Among them, the lining has a variety of materials, with fiber resin being a common type. This material is widely used in automobile brakes due to its good performance. The steel back is like a solid skeleton of the brake pad, providing support for the lining and ensuring its stability during operation; while the lining is the part directly involved in friction, and its performance directly affects the braking effect.
3. The Classification of Brake Pads
(1) Classification by Type
Brake Pads for Disc Brakes: This is the most common type in automobiles at present, mostly used in sedans and light buses. It presses the brake pads tightly against the rotating brake disc through a caliper to generate friction for braking. This type of brake pad has good heat dissipation performance and fast braking response speed, and can meet the needs of frequent braking.
Brake Shoes for Drum Brakes: Generally used in some trucks, buses and some low-end models. The brake shoes are installed inside the brake drum. During braking, the brake shoes expand outward and rub against the inner wall of the brake drum, thereby decelerating the vehicle. It has a large braking force, but its heat dissipation performance is relatively poor, and thermal fading is prone to occur during long-term braking.
(2) Classification by Formula
1. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads: They contain 30% - 60% metal components, such as steel fibers, copper fibers, iron powder, etc., mixed with resin and friction modifiers. They have a high friction coefficient, ranging from 0.4 to 0.5, good high-temperature stability, can withstand a high temperature of about 400°C, and strong wear resistance, with a service life usually of 50,000 - 80,000 kilometers. However, they cause slightly more wear to the brake disc, may have hard spots at low temperatures, are prone to noise, and have a relatively hard pedal feel. They are suitable for vehicles that often run at high speeds, carry loads or drive on mild mountain roads.
2. Non-Metallic Brake Pads (Resin-Based Brake Pads): They use resin as a binder, mixed with non-metallic materials such as glass fibers, aramid fibers and graphite. Their friction coefficient is moderate, generally ranging from 0.3 to 0.4, but their performance is prone to attenuation at high temperatures. When the temperature exceeds 300°C, their performance decreases significantly, with fast wear speed and short service life, approximately 30,000 - 50,000 kilometers. Their advantages are low noise during braking, relatively soft pedal feel, good comfort, low wear to the brake disc, and relatively low price. They are more suitable for family cars used for short-distance commuting in cities and driven with a gentle style.
3. Carbon Fiber Brake Pads: They have the significant advantage of being lightweight, with a stable braking curve, and can provide stable and efficient braking performance. However, due to their high manufacturing cost, they are currently mainly used in some high-end sports cars and racing fields.
4. Ceramic Fiber Brake Pads: They are made of ceramic fibers and ceramic powder as the core, mixed with a small amount of metals such as copper fibers and resin. Their friction coefficient is stably between 0.4 and 0.5, with balanced high and low-temperature performance, can withstand high temperatures above 600°C, with no obvious attenuation, extremely slow wear, and a maximum service life of more than 80,000 - 100,000 kilometers. They cause low wear to the brake disc, almost no noise during braking, with a linear and smooth pedal feel, the best comfort, good heat dissipation performance, and are not prone to generating brake dust, which can keep the wheel hubs cleaner. Although their price is the highest, their comprehensive performance is the best, making them suitable for the upgrade of most family cars and scenarios with high requirements for braking quality.
5. The Performance Indicators of Brake Pads
(1). Braking Performance: It refers to the braking capacity of the brake pad under normal braking conditions (i.e., when the braking temperature is low), usually measured by the friction coefficient. The higher the friction coefficient, the greater the friction generated under the same conditions, and the better the braking effect.
(2). Fading Performance: Under road conditions that require continuous braking, such as downhill on mountain roads, the temperature of the brake will rise rapidly. At this time, the braking capacity of the brake pad may deteriorate and the braking distance may increase. This phenomenon is called "fading". High-quality brake pads have a very small fading rate, or even almost no fading; while some inferior products have severe fading and may almost lose their braking capacity at high temperatures, which is very dangerous.
(3). Recovery Performance: It refers to whether the brake pad that has undergone high-temperature fading can quickly restore its original braking performance when the temperature drops, which is also an important indicator to measure the quality of the brake pad. Brake pads with good recovery performance can restore their braking capacity in a short time, ensuring driving safety.
(4). Wear: It refers to the wear condition of the brake pad during use. Low wear means that the brake pad has a long service life, which can reduce the frequency of replacement and lower the use cost.
(5). Noise: Although there are many factors that cause braking noise, the brake pad is one of them. Generally speaking, if the brake pad is too hard, it is prone to generate noise. Noise not only affects the driving experience but also may be a signal that the brake pad has a problem, which needs attention.
(6). Others: There are also performance indicators such as shear strength, hardness, compression rate, thermal expansion, water absorption rate and adhesion. These indicators affect the performance and service life of the brake pad in different aspects. For example, the shear strength affects whether the brake pad will break during braking, and the hardness affects its wear resistance and the possibility of noise generation.
5. The Working Principle of Brake Pads
When you step on the brake pedal, the braking force pushes the wheel cylinder through the brake fluid, and the wheel cylinder then presses the brake pad tightly against the brake disc or brake drum. At this time, a torque opposite to the driving direction of the car is generated between the brake pad and the brake disc or brake drum. This torque will hinder the rotation of the wheel, thereby decelerating or stopping the vehicle. In simple terms, it is to convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle into heat energy through friction to achieve the purpose of braking.
6. How to Choose High-Quality Brake Pads
(1). Check the Product Packaging: The packaging of high-quality brake pads is usually intact with clear printing, and the packaging box contains detailed information such as the certificate of conformity, production batch number and production date. If the packaging is rough and the information is vague, it is likely to be a counterfeit and shoddy product.
(2). Check the Anti-Counterfeiting Mark: Regular products have anti-counterfeiting marks, and the packaging mark is consistent with the mark on the brake pad. You can query the anti-counterfeiting information through official channels to verify the authenticity of the product.
(3). Confirm the Product Model: The product model should match the model of the vehicle, and at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the content of the certificate of conformity is consistent with the actual situation of the product.
(4). Choose Products with After-Sales Guarantee: Priority should be given to products with good after-sales guarantee, so that if problems occur during use, they can be solved in a timely manner. Moreover, if the product information is traceable, it can also make consumers more assured.
(5). Consider the Brand and Reputation: Choose well-known brands and products with good reputation. These brands usually have better guarantees in terms of production technology and quality control, and can provide more reliable products and services.
Since its establishment in 2011, Shandong Huaruifeng Machinery Co., Ltd. has always focused on the R&D and production of brake pads. The company has 5 advanced production lines, with an annual production capacity of up to 6 million sets and more than 1,200 product models. It also has 100% one-time molding mold technology, ensuring the stability and consistency of products. The company's products cover 5 major series and more than 80 types of products, including carbon fiber-based friction plates, semi-metallic brake pads, low-metallic brake pads, ceramic brake pads and environmentally friendly mineral fiber disc brake pads, which can meet the diverse needs of different customers. Whether it is car owners pursuing high performance or enterprises with strict cost control, they can find suitable products in Huaruifeng. We have established long-term and stable cooperative relationships with many well-known enterprises such as Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., FAW Group, SAIC Group, Foton Heavy Industry, SGMW, Changan Automobile and King Long Bus. Relying on excellent product quality and high-quality services, we have won wide recognition and trust from customers.
Although the brake pad is small, it is related to life safety. It is hoped that through this article, everyone can have a deeper understanding of brake pads and be more cautious when choosing and using brake pads. If you have any questions or needs about brake pads, please feel free to contact Shandong Huaruifeng Machinery Co., Ltd., and we will serve you wholeheartedly.
