The Difference Between Ceramic & Organic Brake Pads
When you need to stop your car, you need quality brake pads that do the job. However, there are many different types of brake pads to choose from. So, you need to know which type to buy. The most important decision is whether to choose ceramic brake pads or organic brake pads.
In this article, we will look at organic brake pads vs ceramic brake pads and discuss the pros and cons of both. Finally, we will discuss which brake pads are suitable for your car and driving style. So, first let’s take a quick look at the difference between ceramic and organic brake pads.
What is the difference between organic and ceramic brake pads?
The main difference is that ceramic brake pads last longer than organic brake pads, but organic brake pads are often cheaper. Neither of them are designed for heavy towing or high power output. In these situations, you may want to use metallic brake pads instead.
These are just the basic differences, but there are many more. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between organic and ceramic brake pads.
What are organic brake pads?
It wasn’t so long ago that brake pads were made of asbestos. This heat-absorbing material was very well suited to the stresses that brake pads were subjected to. However, it turned out to be also an extremely dangerous carcinogen that could cause cancer with prolonged exposure. Over time, brake pads would wear down and this dangerous substance could be released into the tire and become airborne.
To solve this problem, manufacturers began developing safer compounds for brake pads. This development resulted in the birth of organic brake pads, also known as asbestos-free organic brake pads (NAO). Today, most vehicles in the United States are equipped with organic pads.
Organic brake pads contain a mixture of different products, including carbon, rubber, Kevlar, fiberglass, and glass. These products are mixed with resins to create the modern brake pad design.
Benefits
There are many reasons why organic brake pads are the most popular on the market.
1) Less Dust: Compared to other brakes, organic pads produce much less dust and keep your wheels cleaner.
2) Low Cost: These are some of the least expensive brake pads you can choose.
3) Minimal Friction and Heat Generation: As they are not as powerful brakes, they produce less friction and heat, making them ideal for your daily commute.
4) Quieter: With organic brake pads, you won’t hear as much noise as metallic options.
5) Don’t put too much strain on your rotors: Reducing strain on your rotors can help prevent costly repairs to your braking system later on.
Disadvantages
While all of this sounds great, there are some drawbacks to using organic brake pads. When compared to other types, you will notice some drawbacks to organic brake pads.
1) Some types may wear out faster: Because they are made from different materials, they may wear out faster. This means that you will need to replace your brake pads more frequently.
2) Not designed for extreme conditions: Organic brake pads are designed for a narrow temperature range, so they don’t work well in hotter climates. In addition, they don’t work well when towing because they overheat.
3) Difficult to operate: Organic brake pads are highly compressible, so drivers must press harder on the brake pedal to operate the brakes.
What are ceramic brake pads?
Ceramic brake pads
Ceramic brake pads are made from the same material as plate or pottery, but ceramic is more durable and dense. Finer copper fibers are also embedded within the pads to increase thermal conductivity and friction resistance. Ceramic brake pads first appeared on the market in the 1980s and have steadily grown in popularity ever since.
Benefits
It’s easy to see why this material is so popular, especially when you consider the benefits of ceramic brake pads.
1) Quieter: If you thought organic brake pads were quiet, just hear the ceramic version. This ultra-quiet design is one of the main reasons ceramic brake pads are chosen.
2) Less Residue: Ceramic brake pads produce little to no brake dust, keeping your vehicle even cleaner than organic brake pads.
3) Designed for Long Mileage: Ceramic brake pads, by design, wear slower. This design costs more, but means you’ll need to replace your brake pads less frequently.
4) Requires Less Effort: This design means you’ll have to press the brake pedal less to activate braking force.
Disadvantages
As with everything, there are some drawbacks to using ceramic brake pads. Here are some reasons to avoid ceramic tiles:
1) Higher Cost: Ceramic brake pads are expensive to manufacture. This cost is passed on to the consumer, making these brake pads the most expensive option on the market.
2) Increased Wear: Copper and ceramic do not absorb heat like organic brake pads do. Due to this design, heat generated by the braking system is conducted through the pads and affects other components, forcing users to perform other repairs more frequently.
3) Not suitable for extreme conditions: If you regularly tow, drive in extreme weather conditions, or race your vehicle, ceramic brake pads may not provide the stopping power you need.
Which is better
ceramic or organic brake pads? If you do a lot of city driving and have the funds to buy the best option, ceramic brakes are the ideal choice. Not only do they need to be replaced less frequently, they are also quieter and produce less dust compared to organic brake pads.
On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with using organic brake pads, especially if you are looking for a lower-cost option. The brakes are meant to provide safe stopping power and won’t break the bank.
Neither the ceramic or organic brake pad is designed for heavy towing or high-performance. In these situations, you would want metallic brake pads instead. However, there are some drivers who do better picking one of these options.
