Most newer cars now come equipped with ceramic brake pads, which are becoming increasingly popular. Do they actually improve the performance of your brakes? A false sense of security is all they’re good for, right? Let’s take a closer look at ceramic brake pads.
Currently, ceramic is the most cutting-edge technology in the automotive industry. Formulated from fiberglass reinforced polyurethane (FRP), ceramic brake pads are then covered with epoxy resin and metal particles before they are employed in automobile applications.
Your car’s brakes would benefit from ceramic brake pads. Without effective brakes, stopping a car in an emergency might be difficult; ceramic brake pads, on the other hand, can resist high friction and high temperatures, making them an excellent choice for emergencies.
There are several advantages to ceramic brake pads, such as their lightweight design and long lifespan. Brake dust is not an issue with Ceramic Brake Pads.
As a result of their ability to perform admirably in high-temperature situations, especially when subjected to frequent and harsh braking, ceramic brake pads are common in racing and on sports automobiles.
- reduction of weight, and load on the car’s suspension;
- friction is not accompanied by the release of dust like regulat brake pads;
- increased friction and braking effect at high temperatures;
- long service life.
What are the disadvantages of ceramic brake pads?
The disadvantages often outweigh the benefits for many motorists. The ability to stop fast in both wet and dry situations is one of the most prominent characteristics of these vehicles. As a result, you may find yourself in a dangerous scenario if you don’t have enough time to react if your brakes fail.
Because of this, it is crucial to know how ceramic brake pads operate in difficult conditions when searching for them. A rainy or dry weather failure is likely to happen while you’re on the move, as well.
Ceramic brake pads have the following drawbacks:
- ceramic brake pads can’t be reused
- ceramic pads are more expensive
- they have a lower coefficient of friction than metallic ones
- if your car only has a single set of brakes, it’s possible that all four brakes will fail at the same time if your car has ceramic brake pads on them.
- high price;
- warming up is required before operation;
- creaks may appear.
What are the differences between metallic brake pads and ceramic brake pads?
- Metallic brake pads are more environmentally friendly than ceramic ones, because they use less metal and they can be recycled if you take them out.
- Ceramic brake pads are lighter and thinner than metallic ones, this means that your car’s brakes will have a lower total weight on them when you use ceramic brake pads.
- Metallic brake pads warm up faster than ceramic ones because metallic brake pads are made of metal and can conduct heat better.
- Metallic braking surfaces wear out faster than ceramic ones. Because metallic braking surfaces are softer than ceramic ones, they wear out quicker, so it’s a disadvantage for metallic brakes because you’ll have to replace the parts sooner rather than later.
- Metal pads absorb water from the atmosphere much better than ceramic ones do. This means they don’t get washed away or left behind on the road when you use your car after a rainy day.
- Metallic brake pads have a higher coefficient of friction than ceramic ones, which means that they absorb less energy in the form of heat and store it better before transferring it to the brakes. This means that you’ll have to apply more force to your brakes when using metallic brake pads compared to when using ceramic ones.
- Metallic braking surfaces require more pressure to achieve peak braking performance because metallic surfaces are so much smoother and harder than ceramic ones.
- If your car has only a single set of brakes, then you’ll definitely want to use ceramic brake pads because they are much more effective in equalizing the car’s braking force on both its wheels.
- If you live in a drier climate than your car’s manufacturer recommends, then you probably should use ceramic brake pads on it.
- You can’t reuse ceramic brake pads like you can reuse metallic ones. If you don’t have more than one set of brakes on your car and definitely want to upgrade to it, then go with ceramic ones instead of metallic ones.
Conclusion
We can conclude that ceramic brake pads’ strengths and advantages transcend their current limitations, and many drivers have no doubts about their quality and reliability.
These devices can extend the life of your car and its brake components, while also enhancing safety and minimizing the need for more regular inspections, repairs, and preventative maintenance. Choosing a high-quality product is also vital.
