Ceramic Brake Pads

Depending on your driving habits and the application of your vehicle, there are various types of brake pads or brake pad materials that may cater best to your needs.  Ceramic brake pads are highly popular because they are an “all around” brake pad and there are no major disadvantages relating to their use.  For example, when we talk about their advantages in regard to environmental friendliness, wear, noise, and stopping ability, ceramic brake pads have all the desired traits. 

Brake pads used to be made with asbestos, which is a strong mineral fiber that has good heat resistant properties.  But, since asbestos can cause negative health effects in humans, most brake pad manufactures have completely stopped using asbestos and relied on other materials with useful properties for braking, such as ceramic.  Ceramic brake pads are not 100 percent ceramic, but are generally mixed with copper fibers and are a ceramic compound. 

Compared to other brake pad compounds, ceramic brake pads are the longest wearing, both for the brake pad and the brake rotor itself.   This is due to the fact that ceramic brake pads are a less abrasive material than metallic brake pads or semi-metallic brake pads.   However, compared to metallic or semi-metallic brake pads, ceramic brake pads do not match in stopping power.   But, this isn’t to say that ceramic brake pads do not perform well.   Ceramic brake pads have stable performance across a wide temperature range.  So no matter the weather conditions, hot or cold, you can rely on ceramic brake pads for their consistent performance.     

Ceramic brake pads are quieter and generally do not make any noise because the frequencies of their vibrations are lower than the human ears can hear.  With all of the advantages ceramic brake pads have to offer, this brake pad is perfect for people who "hustle and bustle" and use their vehicle everyday.   For applications that require more stopping power and a higher heat threshold (such as track use or towing or hauling), we recommend a harder material like metallic or semi-metallic brake pads.