Brake Pad Friction Material: Semi-Metallic

Semi-metallic brake pads are the sweet spot for vehicles of all sizes and types, including high-performance vehicles and race cars. These pads have the broadest range of practical use at an affordable price.

Available in the market since the 1980s, semi-metallic pads have seen much improvement. Brake manufacturers compete for the consumer market, so consumers can find semi-metallic brake pads in any price range for every vehicle.

The name, semi-metallic, comes from the use of metal in the pad material. The amount of metal varies by manufacturer and ranges from 30% to 70% of the brake pad friction material.

Historically, some of the metals that have been used include fibers and flakes of copper, iron, steel, and graphite. Because copper is toxic to aquatic life, new regulations prohibit its use.

Semi-metallic brake pads are “fade resistant,” meaning they can tolerate high heat and dissipate the heat efficiently to keep brakes working. They provide the high levels of friction needed to stop a vehicle.

Semi-metallic Brake Pad Advantages

The advantages of semi-metallic pads are:

• high temperature tolerance
• high levels of friction and grip
• available in every price range
• durable and lasting (up to 40,000 miles or more with normal driving)
• function well in cold weather
• effective for light or heavy-duty use
• provide a firm, confident feel through the brake pedal

Semi-metallic Brake Pad Disadvantages

The disadvantages of semi-metallic pads are:

• can be noisy, especially as pads wear down
• are harder on brake rotors than ceramic or organic brake pads
• produce black brake dust that sticks to wheels
• new pads require a process to operate properly
• too much selection confusing the consumer

When selecting brake pads, how the vehicle is driven matters. Competitively priced semi-metallic brake pads are great for everyday driving. But, high performance, heavy loads, towing, and high-speed driving demand the higher performance needed with premium semi-metallic brake pads.

About Goodyear Brakes

Goodyear Brakes manufactures premium quality brake bundles, calipers, rotors, brake pads and all the hardware required to successfully install brakes, all backed by a national warranty, decades of production experience and one of the best-known names in automotive excellence. The brake pads are manufactured in the USA using a proprietary green production process by a company with more than 50 years of experience in friction science. The Goodyear Brakes product line is available through Goodyear Brakes at Amazon, CarID, Buy Brakes and AutoAnything.

Goodyear (and Winged Foot Design) and Blimp Design are trademarks of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company used under license by FDP Virginia Inc., 1076 Airport Road, Tappahannock, VA 22560, USA. Copyright 2020 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Goodyear Brakes and FDP Virginia are not responsible for its products when they are subjected to improper applications, installation, or accident.