How do Disc Brake Pads perform in wet or dirty conditions?

Disc Brake Pads can be significantly affected by wet or contaminated conditions. The following is an analysis of the performance changes and reasons from multiple perspectives:

Performance in wet conditions
Water film effect:
When there is water on the surface of the brake disc and brake pad, a thin film of water will form. This film of water will cause a decrease in the coefficient of friction, which will temporarily reduce the braking effect, especially in the initial stage after contact with water. This phenomenon is called "wet fade".Countermeasures: Modern high-performance brake pads often use hydrophobic materials or coatings to reduce the adhesion of water film, so that friction can be restored faster.
Corrosion risk:

Extended exposure to wet environments may cause rust on the metal parts of the brake disc and backing plate, especially when using brake pads with low corrosion protection design. Although the brake pad itself will not corrode directly, rust may affect the contact surface between the brake disc and the brake pad, thereby reducing braking performance.
Recovery ability:
High-quality brake pads can quickly evaporate water and restore normal braking performance through the heat generated by friction after a short contact with water. However, a continuous high humidity environment may cause permanent damage to brake pads made of certain organic materials.
Performance under contaminated conditions
Oil or grease contamination: If the surface of the brake disc or brake pad is contaminated with grease or other lubricants, the friction coefficient will drop significantly, resulting in a significant reduction in braking force. This situation is often caused by residues that were not cleaned up during maintenance or external sources of contamination.
Solution: The brake disc and brake pad surface need to be cleaned immediately to ensure that no contaminants remain.
Dust and particles: Brake dust, sand or other fine particles can embed into the surface of the brake pad, increase the friction coefficient, cause excessive wear or noise problems. In addition, these particles may scratch the brake disc and reduce its service life.
Precautions: Regularly check and clean the brake system and maintain good ventilation and protective design.
Chemical contamination: Contact with acidic or alkaline liquids (such as salt water, detergents, etc.) may damage the friction material or backing plate coating of the brake pad and accelerate aging or corrosion.
Recommendation: Avoid contact between the brake system and highly corrosive chemicals and clean the contaminated area in time.

In wet or contaminated conditions, the performance of Disc Brake Pads will be affected to a certain extent, but by selecting high-quality materials, optimizing design and strengthening maintenance, these problems can be effectively alleviated to ensure driving safety.