|
|
| Author |
Message |
handnhammer
Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 60
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:57 am Post subject: Ceramic vs. Semi-Metallic Brake Pads |
 |
|
| I've always done my own brake jobs, and have always purchased premium semi-metallic pads. The past couple of times I've bought pads I was offered ceramic pads, which cost more. I know that ceramic pads don't cause brake dust, but is there any other benefit to them? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
webmaster
Site Admin
Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 117
Location: Appleton, WI
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ceramic pads still cause dust, it's just not black so you can't see it. Besides the lack of black dust, ceramic pads have several benefits that make them worth the extra cost. Here is a snippet from this ARTICLE that discusses the advantages of installing ceramic pads and other brake issues with your vehicle:
| Keith Reinhardt wrote: | Although first introduced as far back as 1985 on some new vehicles, mass after-market applications for ceramic-based disc brake pads are just now becoming widely available. Approximately 33 percent of all new vehicles, domestic and foreign combined, now have ceramic-based disc brake pads. The newest generation of ceramic brake lining compounds contain no chopped steel fibers or steel wool as found in earlier semi-metallic linings, but instead substitute ceramic compounds and copper fibers. These changes provide modern ceramic-based lining materials the capability of handling today's high brake temperatures with less heat fade, faster recovery time, and less wear on both the pads and rotors.'
Of even more value to brake repair facilities is the ability of ceramic lining compounds to significantly reduce annoying brake noise or squeal, which is the No. 1 consumer complaint relating to brake service. Ceramic compounds dampen noise and move brake pad vibrations to a frequency outside of our human hearing range, 20 Hz through 20,000 Hz. As with earlier disc brake pad designs, some ceramic pad applications may also incorporate other noise-reducing features such as chamfers, slots and insulator shims. One leading after-market manufacturer has gone as far as naming its line of ceramic brake pads "Quiet Stop."
Another positive characteristic associated with ceramic brake lining materials is the absence of visible brake dust, a feature that any vehicle owner with stylish wheels will appreciate. All brake materials, ceramic included, will produce some brake dust. Earlier semi-metallic and organic brake compounds left a brownish black dust on wheels. In comparison, ceramic compounds produce a light-colored dust that is much less noticeable and does not attach itself to wheels.
Although an increase in product cost will more than likely be associated with ceramic-based brake linings, their benefits may be worthwhile for consumers. Based on their own durability tests, lining manufacturers say these compounds will outlast most other premium pad materials by a considerable margin. However, after-market brake pads with ceramic materials should only be used on those applications where the OEM specified a similar formula. |
Additionally, you may hear (or see, if online) complaints about poor stopping power with cold brakes. This is typically true about older ceramic pads and ceramic pads designed for racing, but today's consumer grade ceramic pads have great stopping power. In fact about 33% of new vehicle today come stock with ceramic pads. What is important though is that car's rotors are designed for ceramic pads, otherwise the rotors will typically wear faster. Check with the vehicle manufacturer about this. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
goddess girl
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 29
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | However, after-market brake pads with ceramic materials should only be used on those applications where the OEM specified a similar formula. |
This is very important! Most popular parts dealers will try to sell you ceramic pads, but don't by them unless your rotors can handle them!!! Otherwise you may replace brake pad dust with rotor dust! Not really, but you will wear through your rotors faster in your attempt to prohibit dust. If you still really need ceramic pads, try to buy compatible rotors when you wear out your old ones! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vwp0s3r
Joined: 04 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Location: maine
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject: rotors |
|
|
| so... excuse me if i sound dumb or anything but... how would i know if my rotors can handle ceremic brake pads? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
goddess girl
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 29
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: rotors |
|
|
| vwp0s3r wrote: | | so... excuse me if i sound dumb or anything but... how would i know if my rotors can handle ceremic brake pads? |
Call a dealer that sells your vehicle and talk to a service manager, they should know. They are always willing to lend there knowledge.
Like I said in my original post, you can just put ceramic pads on your original rotors, but you will wear them out faster than if you stuck with semi-metallic pads. I would do just that, and the next time I had the breaks done I would replace the rotors at that time.
It's not like your going to wear the rotors down to nothing and your breaks fail, more than likely they will thin to the point where they warp easy and you would just replace them then. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
gsy.paramount
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 1
Location: Tempe, AZ
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject: Ceramic brake pads |
|
|
I found your forums by googling about ceramic verses metallic brake pads. I'm glad to have found this site.
This is a real life example of how ceramic brake pads work.
My wife and I bought a 2002 Sonata and the ceramic brake pads it came with ate down the rotors so much so that at 59K miles they had to be badly replaced. At first Hyandai said that they would not cover it under warrenty, because they said, we must have driven the car very hard .... to which I responded, "If my wife drove the car so hard than why are the brake pads not even half gone?" Needless to say the supervisor thought that was a valid point and replaced the rotors.
For the record: We put mostly highway driving on our car here in Az. Ceramic pads are much quieter than metalic pads but do wear the rotors down much quicker than metallic. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
timmmay
Joined: 06 Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Location: Chicago
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
There isn't such a thing as 'ceramic compatible' rotors. There are two types of brake wear: abrasion and adherence. Metalic pads cause abrasive wear which decreases rotor thickness, whereas ceramic (usually mixed with a soft alloy like copper to distribute heat) causes a more adhesive 'wear' which actually increases rotor thickness. We're talking in the realm of a fractions of millimeters so this isn't a concern, which is the point. Any rotor will work with any type of pad. But as it turns out, modern Ceramic pads can actually increase the life of the rotor (reduced surface wear) and the pads typically last 30% longer.
Ceramic pads are a no brainer. Simple evolutionary product in disc brake technology, just how we came from drum brake, and from mechanical engagement to hydrolic engagement. Over a third of cars today worldwide have Ceramic pads on them, and the only reason (I think) the other two thirds don't is because the manufacture is cutting corners or trying to increase cost-of-ownership to make money.
It's like the old saying: if manufactures put good transmission coolers on vehicles, the transmission rebuild industry would be out of business. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kriegar
Joined: 12 Jul 2011
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| timmmay wrote: | | causes a more adhesive 'wear' which actually increases rotor thickness. |
Every time I try to buy these pads, the counter person wants to dissuade me from doing so, citing increased rotor wear. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jusomeguy
Joined: 23 Aug 2011
Posts: 2
Location: Manhattan Beach
|
| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject: ceramic vs. semi-metallic |
|
|
When buying pads for my wife's 1997 Dodge Caravan yesterday I asked about the difference in pads.
The parts guy said that the noise and dust were the main benefits and that his reports from customers were that the semi-metallic pads lasted longer than the ceramic. He shrugged and said "I wouldn't have thought that".
I've never used Ceramic pads and the price difference wouldn't dissuade me, I just didn't know the pluses and minuses. I stuck with the semi-metallic...the ones priced just below the ceramics. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Kriegar
Joined: 12 Jul 2011
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: ceramic vs. semi-metallic |
|
|
| jusomeguy wrote: | When buying pads for my wife's 1997 Dodge Caravan yesterday I asked about the difference in pads.
The parts guy said that the noise and dust were the main benefits and that his reports from customers were that the semi-metallic pads lasted longer than the ceramic. He shrugged and said "I wouldn't have thought that".
I've never used Ceramic pads and the price difference wouldn't dissuade me, I just didn't know the pluses and minuses. I stuck with the semi-metallic...the ones priced just below the ceramics. |
Same here-if there isn't an increase in performance, I'll stay with semi-metallic |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
akon123
Joined: 10 Jan 2012
Posts: 4
Location: pakistan
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:25 am Post subject: reply by akon |
|
|
| That's a very impressive article, thanks for sharing with us, and hope to read more from you. We've read it many times. i like these all post these all are so useful in my life thanks for sharing these good post,,,air conditioner repair houston |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
brakeguy
Joined: 20 Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Location: Omaha, NE
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:36 pm Post subject: Ceramic Brakes Do Damage Rotors |
|
|
Yes, in a friction based system, one material or the other must be loosing atoms. This is why rotors wear down faster when using ceramic pads. 
You might be changing out your brake pads a lot less when using ceramic, but the added cost of the rotors replacements will offset the added brake pad savings and more.
If your willing to pay for the lower rate of brake dust production and inaudible brake vibrations, then go with the ceramic.
Additionally, ceramic brake pads used in racing applications work wonders to prevent brake glazing.
Source: http://www.cquence.net/blog/ceramic-vs-semi-metallic-brakes/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Articles
Forums
Search
FREE Registration!
Users Control Panel
Log in
FAQ
