The Pros And Cons of Composite Brake Pads

In automotive braking systems, brake pad performance directly impacts driving safety and the driving experience. Composite brake pads, a widely used product on the market, are the choice of many drivers due to their balanced overall performance. However, they are not without flaws. Understanding their advantages and disadvantages is crucial for making an informed decision based on your vehicle's needs. This article will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of composite brake pads in detail, focusing on performance, cost, and applicable scenarios.

1. Core Advantages of Composite Brake Pads: Why Have They Become a Mainstream Choice?

Composite brake pads (also known as semi-metallic brake pads) are typically made by compressing a mixture of metal fibers (such as steel and copper fibers), organic materials (such as resin and rubber), and friction modifiers. Their design aims to balance braking force, durability, and cost. Their specific advantages are reflected in the following six key aspects:

(1) Stable braking force output, adaptable to various road conditions

The addition of metal fibers enhances the stability of the brake pad's friction coefficient, minimizing braking force drop-off on dry and wet roads, and at low, medium, and high speeds, thus preventing intermittent braking.

Compared to pure ceramic brake pads (which have weak braking force at low temperatures), composite brake pads can quickly achieve effective braking force even in low-temperature environments (such as below -10°C in winter), making them suitable for use in cold northern regions.

(2) Excellent high-temperature resistance and strong resistance to thermal fade

Metallic materials have better themal conductivity than organic materials, quickly transferring heat generated by braking to the brake disc, reducing heat accumulation on the pad surface. At high temperatures (300-500°C), the friction coefficient decreases by only 10%-15% (compared to over 30% for pure organic brake pads).

Suitable for frequent braking scenarios, such as congested urban traffic and downhill mountain roads, reducing the risk of brake failure due to overheating.

(3)  Outstanding wear resistance and extended service life

The metal fibers enhance the structural strength of the brake pad, providing greater resistance to frictional wear from the brake disc. Under normal use, the replacement interval can reach 40,000-60,000 kilometers (compared to 20,000-30,000 kilometers for pure organic brake pads). • Excellent adaptability to brake discs. Even minor scratches or rust on the disc surface will gradually wear out through natural wear, reducing disc chewing.

(4) Affordable Cost, Highly Cost-Effective

The raw materials (metal fiber, ordinary resin) cost less than ceramic brake pads (which contain ceramic fiber and high-end adhesives), and the price is typically 50%-70% of that of ceramic brake pads, making them suitable for drivers with a moderate budget.

Low replacement frequency, resulting in a more competitive long-term cost (material + labor) than pure organic brake pads.

(5) Wide Compatibility

Composite brake pads meet basic braking needs for vehicles ranging from family sedans to SUVs to light trucks, eliminating the need for specialized customization (some high-performance vehicles require specialized ceramic brake pads).

Highly compatible with the ABS system, providing linear friction feedback during braking without excessive vibration or noise, ensuring a comfortable ride.

(6) Faster braking response in low-temperature conditions

In winter, the material hardness of composite brake padschanges less, allowing them to bond more quickly to the brake disc than ceramic brake pads. This reduces the time from pedal application to effective braking force by 0.1-0.2 seconds, improving safety during emergency braking.

2. Significant Disadvantages of Composite Brake Pads: These Disadvantages Need to Be Aware of

Although composite brake pads offer balanced overall performance, they still have some unavoidable drawbacks due to their material properties, which can affect the user experience in certain scenarios:

(1) Loud braking noise, impacting driving comfort

Friction between metal fibers and the brake disc easily produces high-frequency noise, especially when braking lightly at low speeds (such as moving a car in a parking lot or starting at a red light). This can cause a "squeaking" or "screeching" sound. While this does not affect braking performance, it can be irritating.

Compared to ceramic brake pads (which are extremely quiet), composite brake pads require the addition of additional noise-reducing materials (such as rubber particles) to mitigate noise. Some cheaper products may even experience more pronounced noise issues due to cutting corners.

(2) Severe brake disc wear

Metal is harder than ceramic and organic materials. Long-term use accelerates brake disc wear, potentially causing grooves or cracks on the disc surface, and increasing the cost of subsequent brake disc replacement (brake disc replacement costs are typically 3-5 times that of brake pads).

Poor-quality brake discs (such as insufficient cast iron purity) paired with composite brake pads can create a vicious cycle of "disc-to-disc wear," shortening the service life of both.

(3) Heavy weight may increase fuel consumption

Metal fibers have a higher density than ceramic fibers. Composite brake padsweigh 10%-15% more per piece than ceramic brake pads of the same size. Long-term use increases wheel inertia, theoretically increasing fuel consumption by 0.1-0.3L/100km (this impact is less pronounced on larger-displacement vehicles but more pronounced on smaller-displacement vehicles).

(4) Susceptible to rust, affecting appearance and performance

The metal fibers on the surface of brake pads are susceptible to rust when exposed to air and water (e.g., rain or car washes). While rust doesn't directly affect braking performance, it can cause a "stuttering" sensation when the brakes are first applied (due to friction from the rust) and can also make the appearance appear less neat.

For vehicles parked for extended periods (over a month), the contact area between the composite brake pad and the brake disc may become rusty and adhere to the surface. Upon restarting, you may need to gently apply the brakes several times to remove any rust.

(5) Lower high-temperature limit than ceramic brake pads

Although composite brake pads resist thermal fade better than pure organic brake pads, at extreme temperatures (over 600°C), the metal fibers may soften due to overheating, resulting in a sharp drop in friction coefficient, making them unsuitable for the high-intensity braking demands of racing cars and heavy trucks.

During continuous downhill driving (e.g., long mountain roads), if braking is frequent, the thermal stability of the composite brake pad may be insufficient, requiring engine braking to assist in cooling.

(6)  Dust-prone, requiring frequent wheel cleaning

Braking generates a high amount of metal dust, which is dark in color (mostly black) and easily adheres to the wheel surface, creating difficult-to-remove stains. This is especially true for glossy wheels, which require weekly cleaning to maintain their appearance.

3.Suitable Applications for Composite Brake Pads: These Car Owners Are More Suitable

The "balanced" nature of composite brake pads means they aren't suitable for all car models and usage scenarios. They offer better value for the following types of drivers:

(1) Family sedan/urban SUV owners (10,000-30,000 km annual mileage)

For daily city commuting and short trips, requiring moderate braking effort, composite brake pads offer sufficient wear resistance and stability, while maintaining reasonable cost, eliminating the need to pay extra for high-end performance.

(2) Car Owners in Northern China (winter temperatures below -10°C)

In low-temperature environments, composite brake pads offer significant braking response advantages, eliminating the issue of ceramic brake pads' lack of braking force at low temperatures. They are particularly suitable for cold regions like Northeast China and Inner Mongolia.

(3) Drivers who frequently drive on mountain roads or in suburban areas

Frequent braking is required when descending mountain roads. Composite brake pads offer better resistance to thermal fade than pure organic brake pads, reducing the risk of brake fatigue. Their wear resistance also allows them to withstand the wear and tear of complex road conditions.

(4) Drivers with a limited budget but a focus on practicality

If your vehicle is primarily a means of transportation, without the need for extreme quietness or lightweight, composite brake pads offer a more cost-effective solution, reducing maintenance costs while ensuring safety.

The essence of composite brake pads is a trade-off: slight noise and slightly increased brake disc wear are traded for stable braking power, a long lifespan, and a reasonable cost. For most family car owners, they offer a balance between safety and economy. However, for those seeking extreme quietness, lightweight (such as new energy vehicles), or high-intensity braking (such as racing cars), ceramic brake pads may be more suitable.The final choice should be based on your vehicle's environment, driving habits, and budget. Remember: there is no "best" brake pad, only the "most suitable" one.And the quality of brake parts is also very inportant.If you want to purchase a wear-resistant and anti-shakebrake pad ,welcome to visit our website:https://www.evfriction.com. You can also call us:+86-13363216781,or email us:jessicabrakes12@gmail.com.