How To Choose Truck Brake Pads? A Guide To Material Selection for Long-Term Loading

Trucks operate under constant load, and brake pads must withstand significant friction and high temperatures. Material selection directly impacts safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The following, based on key requirements, details brake pad materials and selection considerations suitable for long-term load-bearing applications:

I. Key Requirements for Brake Pads for Long-Term Loading

• High-Temperature Resistance: Braking frequency is high when loaded, and brake padtemperatures can easily exceed 300°C. Pads must withstand temperatures exceeding 500°C without failure (to avoid "thermal decay").

• Wear Resistance: Heavy loads create high friction pressure, requiring a material with high hardness and wear resistance to extend replacement cycles (to minimize downtime losses).

• Stable Friction Coefficient: Sufficient braking force must be continuously provided when loaded, avoiding sudden drops in friction coefficient at low or high temperatures (to prevent increased braking distances).

II. Recommended Brake Pad Materials for Long-Term Loading

1. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads (Preferred)

• Composition:

Metal fibers (steel, copper, iron) comprise 50%-70% of the material, mixed with a binder such as resin or graphite.

• Advantages:

High-temperature resistance: The metal component conducts heat quickly, dissipating heat quickly. The friction coefficient remains stable at high temperatures (0.35-0.45), making it suitable for heavy-duty applications with frequent braking.

Excellent wear resistance: Metal fibers enhance structural strength, resulting in a service life 2-3 times longer than organic brake pads, making them more economical in the long run.

Sufficient braking force: The high hardness (75-85 Shore A) provides strong braking force when rubbing against the brake disc, meeting the demands of heavy-duty trucks.

• Note:

The metal content should not be too high (over 70% can lead to accelerated brake disc wear). A formula containing copper/nickel alloys is recommended to minimize damage to the brake disc.

2. Low-metal ceramic composite brake pads (second choice, ensuring a certain level of smoothness)

• Composition: 

Metal fibers comprise 30%-40% with added ceramic particles, glass fibers, and high-temperature resin.

• Advantages:

High-temperature and thermal crack resistance: Ceramic particles offer strong heat resistance, reducing brake pad cracking caused by prolonged high temperatures.

Even wear: Compared to pure semi-metallic brake pads, the friction surface is smoother, reducing abnormal noise caused by localized wear.

• Suitable for trucks carrying heavy loads on relatively smooth roads (such as highways). Slightly quieter than fully semi-metallic brake pads.

3. Materials to Avoid

• Organic brake pads:

Primarily composed of resin and fiber, with a low metal content (<20%). While quiet, they are resistant to high temperatures and prone to carbonization and failure with frequent braking under load, making them absolutely unsuitable for long-term loads.

• High-carbon brake pads:

High in carbon content and low in low-temperature friction. They are prone to "soft braking" during heavy-load starting operations and are unsuitable for applications requiring frequent low-speed braking (such as urban delivery).

III. Key Parameters to Check When Purchasing

1. Friction Coefficient Grade: Choose "FF" or "GG" (international standards). FF indicates a friction coefficient of ≥0.35 at room temperature and ≥0.30 at high temperatures (350°C), fully meeting load requirements.

2. Rated Operating Temperature: The packaging must be labeled "Continuous Operating Temperature ≥ 500°C" and capable of withstanding short-term peak temperatures exceeding 600°C (for continuous braking on long downhill slopes).

3. Certification: Prefer products certified to "ECE R90" (EU Brake Safety Certification) or "GB 5763-2018" (National Standard) to ensure material stability.

4. Compatible Vehicle Specifications: Select brake pads with the appropriate thickness and size based on the truck's load capacity (e.g., 8 tons, 15 tons, 20 tons and above). Heavy-duty vehicles require thicker brake pads (thickness ≥ 16mm).

IV. Key Points for Brake Pad Maintenance for Long-Term Heavy-Duty Trucks

Long-term heavy-duty trucks carry heavy loads and brake frequently, subjecting brake pads to significantly higher friction and temperatures than ordinary vehicles. Maintenance should focus on reducing abnormal wear, preventing overheating damage, and ensuring stable braking performance. Specific key points are as follows:

• Perform frequent daily inspections. Check the brake pad thickness before each trip. The safety threshold should be at least 8mm; if it falls below this value, replace it immediately. Check for even wear. If the thickness difference between the left and right sides exceeds 3mm, adjust the brake clearance or repair the wheel hub. Inspect the surface for cracks, hard spots, or oil stains, and address any problems promptly. While driving, pay attention to unusual noises, deviation, or weakness during braking; these are signs of a fault and require immediate inspection.

• Proper driving can reduce unnecessary wear. Avoid frequent sudden braking and "running with the brakes on." On long downhill slopes, combine engine braking with braking to share braking force. Start and stop gently to reduce instantaneous load on the brake pads. Strictly adhere to load limits to avoid overloading, which increases brake pad stress.

• Regular cleaning and lubrication are essential. Clean the brake pads and drums of any debris, sand, and rust after every 5,000 kilometers or after driving in harsh conditions. If contaminated with oil, thoroughly clean and replace the oil seals. Apply high-temperature grease to the brake shoe pins and other moving parts every 10,000 kilometers to ensure the pads return to their original position.

• Replacement requires careful consideration. Choose brake pads made of ceramic-based composite or high-carbon alloy materials for high-temperature resistance and low wear. Always replace brake pads as a set; do not replace them on a single side or wheel. Also inspect the brake drums; grooves exceeding 0.5mm require repair or replacement. Run-in the new pads for 200 kilometers after installation, avoiding sudden braking under heavy loads.

• Specialized protection is required for extreme environments. Install a cooling fan or spray a protective agent in high temperatures, and stop the vehicle every two hours to cool down. In cold and humid conditions, be careful to prevent ice and snow from freezing. Before starting, gently apply the brakes to remove any ice film to ensure safe braking.

When selecting brake pads for trucks carrying heavy loads, the key consideration is a "semi-metallic base, supplemented by low-metal ceramics." High-temperature resistance and wear resistance brake pads are prioritized, while the coefficient of friction and certification marks are also carefully considered. Choosing the right material not only reduces the risk of failure but also reduces the cost of frequent replacements, making heavy-duty transport safer and more efficient.If you want to learn more about brake pads,you can visit our website:https://www.evfriction.com,or contact us by +86-13363216781,and send us an email by jessicabrakes12@gmail.com.