What is the Difference Between Metallic and Ceramic Brake Pads?
There are a number of options available in today's market for types of brake pads, but the two main options are metallic pads and ceramic pads. Each of the two has positive and negative features that you should be familiar with before you choose which type of pad to have installed on your vehicle.
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Metallic Construction
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Although manufacturers do their best to keep their brake pad recipes secret, a little dissection will quickly show that metallic and semi-metallic brake pads are composed primarily of steel, brass, and copper shavings that are held together by an ultra-strong resin.
Ceramic Construction
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The alternative to metallic brake pads is the ceramic option. Ceramic brake pads are composed primarily of filler materials and a very strong resin; some brands include minute amounts of copper in the mix to lengthen the life of the pad.
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Metallic Pros
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The best thing about metallic or semi-metallic brake pads is that they are cheap and durable. Because they are composed mainly of metal combinations, they will not wear down quickly, and are slow to become too hot from friction.
Metallic Cons
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Downsides to metallic brake pads include the loud squealing sound that drivers frequently complain about as brakes are applied. This results from brake pad vibrations as the metal of the pad grates against the metal of the brake rotor. The result of this violent meeting between equal materials is that the rotor can become grooved or worn over time, and will eventually need to be replaced when there isn't enough material left for repairs.
Ceramic Pros
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Ceramic brake pads offer a much quieter and more reliable braking solution to drivers. This is because the materials in the ceramic mixture vibrate in a range outside that of normal human hearing, which gives the impression of a very quiet stop every time. In addition, ceramic brake pads do not become heated as quickly, and become cooler faster, which helps to eliminate brake fade over long downhill courses.
Ceramic Cons
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The downside to ceramic pads is that they are much more expensive than their metallic counterparts. Some auto enthusiasts claim that this expense is offset by the lack of rotor damage caused by the pads, plus the time and hassle that is saved from having to occasionally replace rotors.
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