When it comes to safety in vehicles, brakes are the most important thing. Everyone knows this. But not many know what actually makes brakes effective. One of the key factors is friction. It is the force that enables your vehicle to stop when you press the brake pedal. The composition of the brake pads greatly influences the creation of such friction.
In this blog post, we will look at the science of friction. We’ll also look at why it is so critical to choose the proper brake pad material for your vehicle’s safety and performance.
What is Braking Friction?
Friction is a natural force working against motion between two surfaces. In a car, this occurs between the brake disc or drum and the brake pad. When you push on the brake pedal, the pad compresses onto the disc. Friction that slows the wheel and stops the car results.
But friction is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Too little friction means poor stopping power. Too much can cause overheating, faster wear and even damage to other transmission parts.
Different Types of Brake Pad Materials
Brake pads come in different materials. Each has its own pros and cons. The most common types include:
Organic Brake Pads
Made from natural materials like rubber, glass and resins. They are soft and quiet but wear out faster.
Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
These have metal fibres. They are tough and provide good performance but can be noisy.
Ceramic Brake Pads
These are ceramic and copper fibres. They are long-lasting, clean and quiet. They are good for hot and cold conditions.
Material selection is based on driving style, type of car and road conditions. It also influences other parts, such as the automatic transmission parts, which function in conjunction with the braking system in current cars.
Heat and Brake Performance
Friction makes things hot. This is typical. However, excessive heat results in brake fade. This cuts down the stopping power. Not all materials deal with heat equally. Ceramic pads, for example, perform well when it is very hot. Semi-metallic pads also cope well with heat but can wear down the disc at a faster rate.
Transmissions also suffer when brakes are malfunctioning. Overheating stresses out the entire drivetrain. That’s why transmission parts manufacturers in India have now aligned themselves with brake part suppliers. The idea is to have all systems working harmoniously together.
Brake Dust and Cleanliness
Another consideration is brake dust. Organic pads make a lot of it. Ceramic pads make less. It makes the wheels cleaner and lessens wear on other components. It also means less dust for your car’s sensors and electronics to deal with.
Need expert guidance or high-quality components? Trust Circlips India—your go-to partner for brake and transmission components. Explore our website or contact us now for more details.