ALL ABOUT BRAKE PADS: HOW TO PREVENT AND IDENTIFY WEAR?
Created at the end of the 19th century and present in vehicles since the 1950s, the disc brake was a great evolution of automobiles and allowed for safer and more reliable braking. Brake pads are essential components of this system and, for this reason, it is necessary to watch out for signs of wear. Also consider are ceramic brake pads good
Throughout this text, you will learn about some types of inserts and their materials, you will understand how they work, when it is necessary and how to change them, as well as see what precautions must be taken to avoid their premature wear. Stay with us!
What is the function and how do brake pads work?
The brake pads have the function of generating friction to decelerate and stop the vehicle. For this, they work together with the brake disc — which can be made of metallic material or even carbon, in addition to other materials. Do you remember bicycle brakes? The pads work similarly to the brake shoes.
On the bicycle, when you pull the brake lever, the shoes are forced against the wheel through a system of cables and the speed is reduced until it comes to a complete stop. Something very similar happens in the vehicle: when the brake pedal is pressed, a hydraulic system pushes the pads against the disc, reducing the car's speed.
What are the most common models and their characteristics?
Chances are you've already bought brake pads for your car and never realized that there are different types, with different compounds. Each insert model has some advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for different situations and pockets.
organic tablet
This is the cheapest model found on the market. Some time ago, organic tablets were made from asbestos. However, this material was found to be toxic and it has been banned in several countries. In Brazil, in 2017, after many years of discussion and disagreements between the states, the manufacture and sale of asbestos-based products was prohibited .
Throughout this text, you will learn about some types of inserts and their materials, you will understand how they work, when it is necessary and how to change them, as well as see what precautions must be taken to avoid their premature wear. Stay with us!
What is the function and how do brake pads work?
The brake pads have the function of generating friction to decelerate and stop the vehicle. For this, they work together with the brake disc — which can be made of metallic material or even carbon, in addition to other materials. Do you remember bicycle brakes? The pads work similarly to the brake shoes.
On the bicycle, when you pull the brake lever, the shoes are forced against the wheel through a system of cables and the speed is reduced until it comes to a complete stop. Something very similar happens in the vehicle: when the brake pedal is pressed, a hydraulic system pushes the pads against the disc, reducing the car's speed.
What are the most common models and their characteristics?
Chances are you've already bought brake pads for your car and never realized that there are different types, with different compounds. Each insert model has some advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for different situations and pockets.
organic tablet
This is the cheapest model found on the market. Some time ago, organic tablets were made from asbestos. However, this material was found to be toxic and it has been banned in several countries. In Brazil, in 2017, after many years of discussion and disagreements between the states, the manufacture and sale of asbestos-based products was prohibited .
However, even before the ban, several manufacturers stopped using asbestos in the manufacture of their brake pads. A problem generated by the removal of this material was a little loss in strength and hardness, increasing its degree of wear. For this reason they are not recommended for heavier vehicles.
metallic insert
These inserts have superior performance compared to the organic model. In addition, they suffer less from wear, which results in a much longer durability. They are made of much more rigid materials — such as brass, iron or aluminum.
The problem with this type of tablet is its cost, which is higher when compared to organic tablets. However, if you need more performance and greater reliability in your braking system, they are more recommended.
Semi-metallic insert
Semi-metallic inserts are an attempt to reduce the cost of metallic versions, without losing the good performance that this model presents. They are made from alloys of different materials, such as iron, copper, graphite and steel. Due to their good heat dissipation, they wear little and are very resistant.
The problem is that semi-metallic pads tend to wear more brake discs, especially due to the presence of steel chips in their composition. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the wear of this component when changing the inserts.
ceramic insert
These are the most efficient inserts available on the market. They are composed of ceramic fibers, bonding agents and non-ferrous fillers. They are very quiet and clean, generating less dust as they wear out. In addition, they are very resistant, being especially recommended in situations where the brake will be constantly required.
This type of brake pad is very efficient because, due to the excellent heat dissipation of ceramics, it does not lose braking capacity when the temperature is high. Another important point is that, as it does not have metallic materials in its composition, it wears less the vehicle's brake discs.
metallic insert
These inserts have superior performance compared to the organic model. In addition, they suffer less from wear, which results in a much longer durability. They are made of much more rigid materials — such as brass, iron or aluminum.
The problem with this type of tablet is its cost, which is higher when compared to organic tablets. However, if you need more performance and greater reliability in your braking system, they are more recommended.
Semi-metallic insert
Semi-metallic inserts are an attempt to reduce the cost of metallic versions, without losing the good performance that this model presents. They are made from alloys of different materials, such as iron, copper, graphite and steel. Due to their good heat dissipation, they wear little and are very resistant.
The problem is that semi-metallic pads tend to wear more brake discs, especially due to the presence of steel chips in their composition. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the wear of this component when changing the inserts.
ceramic insert
These are the most efficient inserts available on the market. They are composed of ceramic fibers, bonding agents and non-ferrous fillers. They are very quiet and clean, generating less dust as they wear out. In addition, they are very resistant, being especially recommended in situations where the brake will be constantly required.
This type of brake pad is very efficient because, due to the excellent heat dissipation of ceramics, it does not lose braking capacity when the temperature is high. Another important point is that, as it does not have metallic materials in its composition, it wears less the vehicle's brake discs.
