Brake pads form an integral part of the braking systems. They sit inside the calipers from where they clamp down the rotor offering the actual braking. Brake pads have specific operating temperature ranges.
Different types of pads can be used to maximize the grip and match temperature and braking demands. They should be able to dissipate heat quickly to avoid overheating. To put this into perspective, we will discuss the qualities of each break types below. Understanding the different types of brake pads will help you make the right choice and considerations when purchasing brake pads.
Chelsee’s Phoenix Brake Repair works with all types of brake pads.
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Semi Metallic Pads
Semi metallic brakes are the most common brake pads. They are widely used in automobiles due to the excellent heat transfer and durability. Semi metallic brakes are made of steel wires, copper or graphite and friction modifiers. A huge part is metallic. In fact, between 30-60 percent of semi metallic brake pads is made of metal. They are very durable. On the downside, semi-metallic brakes make noise, perform poorly in at low temperatures and cause rotor wear.
Ceramic Brakes
Ceramic brakes are majorly made of ceramic fibers, nonferrous materials and bonding agents. However, you can find a small amount of metallic material. These brakes are cleaner and produce much less noise compared to other brakes. In addition, they don’t cause a lot of wear and tear on brake rotors. They also tend to last longer than metallic brakes. In fact, they are usually found in high-performance cars that require high speeds, frequent stops and sharp turns. Due to these distinctive advantages, they are ideal for racing cars. On the downside, ceramic brakes are the most expensive brake pads.
Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO)
Generally, these pads are made from organic materials including rubber, fiber, Kevlar, glass and high-temperature resin. NAO pads are soft and do not produce much noise. However, they create more dust and wear quite fast.
Low Metallic Non Asbestos Organic
Low metallic are made from a mixture of organic materials with bits of steel and copper to scale up heat transfer and breaking capabilities. Due to the presence of metallic material they create more noise and a significant amount of brake dust. However, they have excellent heat transfer and braking capabilities due to the presence of steel or copper.
Choosing suitable brake pads for your vehicle
There is a wide selection of brake pads with varying packaging and price. You can easily get confused when making purchases. Some of the considerations you should put in the back of the mind are:
- Type of your vehicle
- Type of the roads you normally drive on
Brake pads with substantial metal are ideal for heavy vehicles to provide extra power. Cheap pads are not suitable for vehicles that carry passengers or heavy loads regularly. You will need sturdy brakes if you drive a difficult terrain such a mountainous region.
Compact cars will do just fine with organic brakes. However, our top preference for the best brake pads is ceramic pads. Should you choose to go with our choice, be ready to dig deep in your into pocket.
Conclusively, you should always have your brakes at peak performance. You should not attempt to repair brake pads. In any case, these repairs cost little money. Why should you risk your safety to save a few bucks? If the brake pads wear out, let your technician fix them.
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