Brake Shoe Materials: Pros and Cons of Different Materials

Brake shoe, as a core component of a vehicle's braking system, directly affect the vehicle's braking performance, safety, and driving comfort. With the development of technology, various brake pad materials have emerged on the market, mainly including organic materials, semi-metallic materials, and ceramic materials. Each material has its unique advantages and disadvantages.

Organic Brake Shoe
Organic brake shoes are typically made of a mixture of resins and fiber materials. They are widely used due to their low cost and stable performance.

Advantages:

Low noise: Organic brake shoes produce relatively low noise during braking, which is particularly important for drivers who prefer a quiet ride.
Good comfort: Due to their better cushioning performance, organic materials provide a smoother braking experience.
Corrosion resistance: Organic materials have a certain degree of corrosion resistance, making them perform well in humid or saline environments.
Disadvantages:

Insufficient heat resistance: Under long-term or high-intensity braking, organic brake shoes are prone to fading and performance degradation, affecting braking performance.
Fast wear rate: Compared with other materials, organic materials have poorer wear resistance, especially at high temperatures, and the wear rate will accelerate significantly, requiring more frequent replacement.
Semi-Metallic Brake Shoe
Semi-metallic brake shoes are made of a mixture of metal fibers and other materials, and usually have high heat resistance and friction performance.

Advantages:

High friction coefficient: Semi-metallic materials provide excellent braking performance, suitable for heavy-duty or high-speed vehicles, and can quickly generate efficient braking force.
Good heat resistance: Able to withstand high temperatures, suitable for long-term braking or frequent use, such as mountain driving or racing.
Strong wear resistance: Relatively good wear resistance gives semi-metallic brake shoes a certain advantage in service life.
Disadvantages:

High noise: Semi-metallic materials usually produce more noise during braking, affecting driving comfort.
High wear on brake discs: Semi-metallic materials wear out brake discs faster, which may shorten the life of the brake discs and require regular replacement.
Ceramic Brake Shoes
Ceramic brake shoes are made of a combination of ceramic fibers and other high-performance materials, and have become increasingly popular in high-performance vehicles in recent years.

Advantages:

Excellent wear resistance: Ceramic materials have very good wear resistance and usually maintain good performance after multiple brake applications, with a long service life.
Low noise and low dust: Ceramic materials produce less noise and brake dust during braking, which can keep the vehicle clean and reduce the impact on the wheels and brake system.
Stable performance at high temperatures: Ceramic brake shoes have stable performance at high temperatures and are not prone to fading or decay.
Disadvantages:

High cost: Ceramic Brake shoes are usually more expensive, which may increase the overall maintenance cost of the vehicle.
Temperature sensitivity: Under extremely low temperature conditions, the performance of ceramic materials may be affected, and the performance may not be as good as semi-metallic materials.
Comprehensive Consideration of Wear and Performance
Different brake pad materials have different performance in terms of wear and performance. Generally speaking:

Urban driving: If you mainly drive in the city and have higher requirements for noise and comfort, organic brake shoes are a good choice.
High-speed driving or heavy loads: For vehicles that often drive on highways or need to carry heavy loads, semi-metallic brake shoes are more suitable and can provide stronger braking performance.
Comprehensive performance: Ceramic materials are suitable for drivers who pursue high performance and low noise. Although the price is higher, their wear resistance and stability can often bring longer service life and better driving experience.
Note:

Fading: A temporary loss of braking effectiveness caused by overheating the brakes.
Brake disc: The metal disc that thebrake shoes press against to slow or stop the vehicle.