How does the material selection of Disc Brake Pads affect performance and safety?

The impact of material selection on performance and safety of Disc Brake Pads is a key factor affecting the overall effect of the braking system. Different types of brake pad materials will have a direct impact on braking performance, durability, temperature stability, noise control, environmental protection, etc. The following are several common materials and their impact on braking performance and safety:

Organic Brake Pads
Material composition: Organic brake pads are usually composed of resin, glass fiber, rubber, graphite and filler, and are commonly found in economy vehicles or ordinary family cars.
Performance characteristics:
Braking effect: Organic brake pads provide relatively smooth braking performance and perform better at low speeds or daily driving.
Noise: Due to their softer material, organic brake pads usually produce less noise.
High temperature resistance: Due to the softer material, thermal attenuation is more obvious. The braking effect may be reduced during long-term high-speed driving or heavy-load braking.
Safety: Under extreme conditions (such as high temperature and high-speed driving), the performance of organic brake pads will be affected, resulting in increased braking distance, which may affect safety.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for urban driving, light vehicles, and driving environments with comfort and low noise as the main requirements.
Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Material composition: Semi-metallic brake pads are usually made of metal fibers (such as copper, iron or steel) combined with resin, with a high metal content, so they have strong high temperature resistance and long service life.
Performance characteristics:
Braking effect: Semi-metallic brake pads provide strong braking performance, especially excellent performance under high speed or heavy load conditions, and can quickly generate large friction.

High temperature resistance: Due to the use of metal fibers, semi-metallic brake pads have better high temperature resistance, can effectively reduce thermal attenuation, and still maintain a relatively stable braking effect in high temperature environments.
Noise: Compared with organic brake pads, semi-metallic brake pads will produce greater noise and vibration.
Safety: The higher friction of semi-metallic brake pads enables it to provide relatively stable braking performance under extreme conditions, thereby improving the safety of the overall braking system.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for medium and heavy vehicles, especially in situations where frequent high-speed driving or heavy loads are required, with high safety and stability.
Ceramic Brake Pads
Material composition: Ceramic brake pads are a combination of ceramic fibers and copper fibers, with good friction performance, thermal stability and durability.
Performance characteristics:
Braking effect: Ceramic brake pads provide relatively smooth and stable braking performance, and quick braking response, especially in daily driving.
High temperature resistance: Ceramic materials have good thermal stability and can withstand higher temperatures. They can also maintain relatively stable braking performance in high temperature environments and reduce thermal decay.
Noise: Ceramic brake pads are almost noiseless and can provide a quieter driving experience.
Environmental protection: Ceramic brake pads have less brake dust due to their low metal content and are more environmentally friendly.
Safety: Due to good thermal stability, low noise and long service life, ceramic brake pads are very safe under normal driving conditions.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for luxury cars, performance cars and vehicles that want to achieve low noise, long service life and high performance. The stability of ceramic brake pads makes them an ideal choice for high-safety driving environments.
Low-Metallic Brake Pads
Material composition: Low-metallic brake pads are similar to semi-metallic brake pads, but with less metal content, usually composed of a small amount of steel, copper or iron and other friction materials.
Performance characteristics:
Braking effect: Low-metallic brake pads provide relatively high friction, and the braking performance is between organic and semi-metallic brake pads, which is suitable for daily driving and driving needs under general conditions.
High temperature resistance: Low-metallic brake pads have good high temperature resistance, but not as outstanding as full-metal brake pads or ceramic brake pads, suitable for daily driving without involving extreme driving conditions.
Noise: Low-metallic brake pads are noisy, especially in slippery or cooling conditions, the noise may increase.
Safety: Although its braking performance is relatively stable, compared with high-performance brake pads, it may not perform as well as full-metal or ceramic brake pads under high temperature or extreme conditions, affecting safety.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for medium-sized vehicles and light commercial vehicles, it can provide relatively balanced performance and is suitable for general driving environments.
Hybrid Brake Pads
Material composition: Hybrid brake pads combine organic materials, metal components and ceramic materials, aiming to take into account the advantages of different brake pads.
Performance characteristics:
Braking effect: Provides good braking performance, combining the stability of organic brake pads and the strong braking force of semi-metallic brake pads.
High temperature resistance: The performance of hybrid brake pads at high temperatures is relatively balanced, suitable for some medium driving environments.
Noise: Noise control is relatively good, usually lower than semi-metallic brake pads, but higher than ceramic brake pads.
Safety: Provides relatively stable braking performance and is safer in most driving environments.
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for daily driving, both maintaining good braking performance and considering cost-effectiveness.

Choosing the right brake pad material is crucial to ensuring the safety, stability and long life of the brake system. Different materials are suitable for different driving conditions and needs. When making specific choices, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the vehicle type, driving environment, temperature range, noise requirements and environmental protection needs. For example, ceramic brake pads are suitable for high performance and quiet driving, while semi-metallic brake pads are suitable for heavy-duty driving environments that require high temperature resistance and strong braking performance.