This month I will review the type of brake pads available and their applications.
Non-Asbestos Organic (NOA)
These brake pads are made from largely organic materials. Initially these were made with asbestos but because health and safety concern the asbestos was replaced by carbon, Kevlar glass and rubber with a bonding agent.
Cost: Low ($30-$80 per axle)
Dust: High
Stopping power: Low
Longevity: Low
Noise: Low
These pads wear quickly and fade easily.
Only suitable for day-to-day road driving. What’s more they do not lend themselves to regular braking or track use. The pads that have Kevlar hold better.
These pads are not the newest technology, but they are the cheaper.
These are suitable for basic transportation.
Hybrid Organic (NOA)
Hybrid Organic Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO) brake pads, often referred to as non-metallic organic, are engineered to provide a blend of superior, quiet comfort with improved durability compared to traditional organic pads. They utilize a mixture of high-strength fibers (such as Kevlar or aramid), fillers, and resins to reduce abrasion on rotors, making them a common choice for daily driving.
Cost: Medium ($35-$130 per axle)
Dust: Low
Stopping power: Medium
Longevity: Low
Noise: Low
These pads are a reliable, safe, and cost-effective choice for those prioritizing comfort over high-performance racing conditions.
Low-Metallic NAO
Better breaking is realised with the Low-Metallic NAO option, the result of an organic formula mixed with between 10% and 30% copper or steel. This recipe certainly helps with the transfer of heat. They are however on the noisy side, while the added metal can create plenty in the way of dust.
Cost: Medium ($50-$150 per axle)
Dust: High
Stopping power: High
Longevity: Medium
Noise: Medium
These pads are often seen on European car for spirited driving.
Semi-Metallic
Semi-metallic brake pads consist of between 30% and 65% metal. Additional material could include steel wool, wire and copper among others.
Once settled upon these elements are bound together by organic resin. From here they are moulded into pre-set shapes and baked into a furnace, resulting in greater durability.
That robustness is one of their many benefits. Semi-Metallic pads are resistant to heat. They tend to be cheaper and – when around 60% metal is present – lend themselves to heavy braking over a long stretch of road or track.
Indeed, Semi-Metallic brake pads are perhaps best suited to high performance race cars. If you own a vehicle that does 0-60mph in a flash this is the option for you.
As with all types of pads there are downsides, in this instance an adverse reaction to extreme, low temperatures. Avoid taking her for a spin in the Antarctica
Cost: Medium ($35-$150 per axle)
Dust: Medium to high
Stopping power: High
Longevity: Medium
Noise: High
These are used on heavy duty usage such as taxi, police, towing and performance driving.
Ceramic
They are the most expensive option. Why the cost? In truth they make for excellent braking, absorbing heat generated from even the harshest, sharpest stops. Ceramic brake pads are best recommended to customers who do a lot of commuting/city driving, enjoy the look of cleaner rims free of black brake dust and don’t push their vehicle through severe duty use like heavy towing or track driving.
Composed of ceramic fibres and similar type fill materials, these pads are cleaner and quieter than other brake pads. They last longer than other pads.
A major drawback is just how long it takes to warm them up to an operating temperature. So, while ceramic pads are ideal for rallying, they are all but pointless when installed in the average car, which would seldom reach the optimum performance heat on the likes of the school run or weekly shop.
Cost: high ($70-$150 per axle)
Dust: Low
Stopping Power: Medium
Longevity: High
Noise: Low.
Depending on your needs, you should not get the cheaper set. Since brake pads are vital to your security, it might make sense to spend a little more than the cheapest.
Richard Limoges
