Semi-Metallic or Ceramic Brake Pads: Which is Best for You?
There is no doubt that brake pads are one of the most important components of your car. What good is being able to drive fast if you can’t slow down to a safe distance? So when it’s time to replace your brake pads, you may find yourself looking at a number of options with different price tags. Not all brake pads are created equal and different materials offer different benefits.
Throughout the history of braking systems, there have been a variety of materials used to produce friction. From leather to asbestos, engineers have always been creative when it comes to getting the most out of their brakes and have made great strides in the materials we use.
There are three main types of materials used for bearings in modern vehicles: organic, semi-metallic and ceramic. Each of these materials offers different advantages and disadvantages depending on the vehicle and the driver.
Organic brake pads
Organic pads are the most common type of brake pad in modern vehicles, with about 67% of new cars sold in the US making use of organic friction material. Often made from blends of rubber, glass/fiberglass, carbon materials, Kevlar, and resin, organic pads are the cheapest of the major types of brake pads, contributing to their popularity in commuter vehicles.
Although they are the cheapest, organic pads are also the worst in most categories. They do their job well enough to be suitable for most vehicles and drivers out there, but fall short in performance and longevity compared to their more expensive counterparts.
Semi-metallic brake pads
Between the price range of organic and ceramic pads, semi-metallic brake pads have seen widespread adoption in performance vehicles for their superior stopping power and heat resistance.
Semi-metallic bearings consist of a mixture of metals such as iron, copper and steel along with filler material such as graphite lubricant. The ratio of metal to filler can vary between 30% and 70% metal. All-metal pads do exist, but they are only used in extreme braking situations and a total focus on performance, such as in purpose-built racing cars.
Semi-metallic bearings have the greatest stopping power compared to organic or ceramic bearings, while performing better in extreme weather conditions or at higher temperatures due to their ability to conduct heat. As a result, metal pads have strong cold bite (ability to produce friction in cold conditions) and are resistant to brake fade (decreased performance at high temperatures).
However, semi-metallic brake pads are not without their drawbacks.
Bearings that contain metal will always be noisier compared to other materials, which can make semi-metallic bearings annoying to those who use their car for commuting or driving often.
They also produce the most brake dust of any of these options, while wearing rotors at a greater rate due to their metal composition.
Ceramic brake pads
Coming in at the top end of the price range, ceramic pads are a more recent development and bring some serious advantages to the table.
Ceramic pads consist of a ceramic-like material impregnated with copper wires to increase heat conduction. Because of this complex manufacturing process, ceramic brake pads command a high price.
So what do you really get for your money? Ceramic bearings fall between organic and semi-metallic bearings in terms of stopping power, but outperform them in several other metrics. Their unique material gives them stellar performance while being quieter and more durable than their counterparts. Ceramic produces considerably less brake dust and little or no noise when applying the brakes.
They’re also the easiest of brake rotors, meaning you won’t go through them as quickly as you would organic or metal pads.
With all these advantages, however, there must be some drawbacks beyond the price.
Ceramic brake pads have poor heat absorption, which allows heat to transfer to surrounding brake system components and wear faster. Drivers of vehicles with ceramic pads should avoid heavy and aggressive braking to avoid heat build-up.
They also lack the impressive cold bite of metal bearings and will need to reach the proper temperature before operating at their optimum stopping power.
Which brake pads are right for me?
Which bearing material is right for you and your vehicle depends on several factors.
Organic pads will be suitable for most drivers on the road. If you don’t use your vehicle very often or only use it to run errands, there’s a good chance organic bearings will be more than enough for you (they’re used by most major manufacturers for a reason).
If you’re looking for a performance-oriented option, semi-metallic brake pads may be the right choice. Metallic pads handle harsh conditions and aggressive braking much better than organic pads and give you stellar stopping power whenever you need it. Whether your car sees spirited canyon driving or some serious track time, semi-metallic bearings will give you optimal performance.
Ceramic bearings offer a wide range of benefits, but are targeted at a specific customer. You could consider these pads the most luxurious, mainly for their quiet braking, firmness and increased durability. If you drive your vehicle often or take it on frequent trips and are looking for the ultimate brake pad, ceramic offers unique benefits not seen at any other price point. While not the best when it comes to stopping power, ceramic pads may be worth their premium price for certain drivers.
Brake service at Alex’s Autohaus
The expert technicians at Alex’s Autohaus in Midvale have the experience and equipment to properly service or repair your European vehicle’s brake system. Call or schedule online with us today!
