Ceramic vs Metallic Brake Pads (Pros and Cons)
Brake pads are a small component of your braking system, but a very important one. Without functional brake pads, your brake discs won’t be able to generate the friction they need to slow down your vehicle.
This means that you’re more likely to have an accident and cause all kinds of problems for yourself and others. Therefore, it’s always important to use the best brake pads for your vehicle’s braking system.
What you may not know is that there are many different types of brake pads on the automotive market. The two most common types of brake pads are metallic and ceramic. Each has its own pros and cons, depending on the type of vehicle you drive and various other factors.
To get a clear idea of ​​which brake pads are right for you, compare brake pads and decide for yourself whether metallic or ceramic brake pads are better.
Ceramic Brake Pads
You can probably imagine that ceramic brake pads are made from ceramic material. Ceramic is the same material used to make plates, bowls, pots, and other ceramic ware. The only difference is that ceramic brake pads are much more durable compared to ceramic-ceramics.
The reason for this is the thin copper fibers that are incorporated into ceramic brake pads. These fibers are heat resistant, which helps extend the life of the brake pads. This allows them to create friction without overheating and destroying the pads.
Here are the pros and cons of ceramic brake pads. Advantages of Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are less abrasive than metal brake pads, so they make much less noise. This puts less strain on the brake discs, which increases their lifespan.
Most importantly, ceramic brake pads are more heat resistant, which also increases the lifespan of your brakes.
Disadvantages of Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are more expensive than metal brake pads. Ceramic brake pads don’t cause as much friction on the rotating brake discs, so it takes a little longer for your vehicle to slow down or stop. If you drive a large vehicle such as a truck or SUV, do not use ceramic brake pads as they will make your stopping power even worse.
Metallic or Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Metallic brake pads are not actually 100% metal, but are mostly metal materials. There are many different versions of metallic brake pads, ranging from as little as 30% metal content up to 70% metal content.
The types of metals found in these brake pads include composite alloys, steel, copper, and iron.
Here are the pros and cons of metallic brake pads.
Advantages of Metallic Brake Pads
Metallic brake pads are cheaper and more affordable than ceramic brake pads. They actually increase the speed of your vehicle because they act more aggressively against the brake discs.
If you drive a large vehicle such as an SUV or truck, metallic brake pads are the best brake pads for you. Disadvantages of Metal Brake Pads
Metal brake pads are made of metal material, so they are noisy when activated. And their abrasive nature slows down the vehicle, but also wears out the brakes faster.
This means that metal brake pads need to be replaced much sooner than ceramic brake pads. Some people notice black dust coming from metal brake pads.
