1. Semi-metallic brake pads
Semi-metallic brake pads use metal fibers (may also contain other fibers). The most commonly used metal component in brake pads is copper. Copper is a metal with a relatively soft hardness. After mixing with other materials, it can provide a very good friction coefficient. As for another commonly used brake pad metal material, iron has a higher hardness, has a good relative friction effect on stainless steel discs, and is relatively cheap. The disadvantage is that it is highly aggressive against discs. If it is not mixed well with other materials, it is easy to form oxidation and is more likely to deteriorate after a period of use. Brake pads made of metal are currently the most widely used products with stable performance and moderate prices.
2. Metal-free brake pads
Metal-free brake pads generally refer to brake pads that do not contain metal and use fiber materials such as aramid and glass fiber. The products of each company vary greatly. The good ones are better than semi-metallic ones, and the bad ones may not be as good as semi-metallic ones. This title sometimes also refers to brake pads including carbon fiber and ceramic fiber.
3. Carbon fiber brake pads
Carbon fiber brake pads should be used in conjunction with brake discs made of carbon fiber. They have excellent performance and amazing prices. Currently, only the most high-end cars will use them.
4. Ceramic fiber brake pads
Ceramic fiber brake pads are a new product developed in recent years. Their performance is far superior to common semi-metallic brake pads, but they are relatively expensive. This type of brake pad has an excellent cost-effectiveness. If conditions permit, it is recommended to buy a set and directly replace the original ordinary brake pads. Ceramic is a brake material that is more commonly used recently. Ceramic has a much better temperature resistance than metal and is not easy to expand under high temperature conditions. It has made great contributions to noise suppression and brake durability. Another important brake pad material is carbon fiber. Like ceramic, carbon fiber can be kept at high temperatures for a long time without deformation and has a very excellent friction coefficient. However, carbon fiber brake systems are currently only seen in the field of professional racing. Brake pads, discs, and other materials related to friction can be widely used.
