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All About Brakes
Four Types of Brake Pads
When it comes time to replacing brake pads, there's a limitless variety to choose from. Despite the number of options, there really are only four types of brake pads on the market, each categorized on the basis of the brake pad material:
1. Organic Pads -
This brake-pad material is purely organic and includes no metal or asbestos component. Considered to be of low quality, organic pads offer the benefit of being noiseless and softer on application. However, this is not the best brake pad material in the market. It is not resistant and it wears down quickly. They are the cheapest brakes you can find, and you will have to frequently replace them. The bottom line - these pads are recommended only if you cannot afford anything better, or if you do not plan on driving the car very much at all.
2. Low Metallic Pads -
This brake pad material is similar to the organic pads. The primary components are organic materials such as Kevlar and carbon. However, they are a step-up from organic pads because they have small amounts of metal such as copper to increase the brake-pad resistance. These types of pads work well, but due to their organic makeup, they also wear down quickly. They are also loud, so it might be best to avoid them.
3. Semi-Metallic Pads -
This type of brake-pad material is made up primarily of metallic elements such as steel. While they offer a strong, dependable braking action, they are excessively noisy, and the metal components place more pressure on the rotor. This is generally one of the best brake pad materials available, especially because it has a slow wear rate, allowing you to get the most from your brake pads.
4. Ceramic Pads -
This is considered to be the best brake pad material available, and the cost of ceramic pads is higher as well. Ceramic pads have a lot of advantages that make up for their high price tag. They are quiet and operate evenly, allowing for a smooth feel and easy brake action as opposed to a bumpy, lumbering stop. They also have the slowest wear rate of any brake pad material. You get your money’s worth with these pads. The only caveat with ceramic pads is that they do not work well at high temperatures, so if you are plan on racing your car, you have to look into another type of brake pad material.