Ceramic vs. Metallic Brake Pads, What’s the Difference?

The braking system in your vehicle is perhaps its single most important safety mechanism. Without brakes, a vehicle is left relying on time to slow its forward momentum. So how do brakes work? When you step on your brake pedal your car pushes fluid through its brake lines into each wheel, gradually bringing them to a stop at the same rate. As a whole, your brake system is turning your car’s kinetic energy into friction that slows your tires and brings your car to a stop. The brake pads in your vehicle are the source of that friction, which is created as they press up against the braking discs in your car.

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of brake pads available, the pros and cons of each type, particularly the differences between using ceramic and metallic brake pads, and help you understand how to choose the best brake pad for your vehicle and driving style.

Organic Brake Pads

Originally, brake pads were made from asbestos, a heat-absorbing material that was well-suited for the wear and tear that brake pads took on. However, asbestos has been found to be a highly-potent carcinogen and prolonged exposure to it can cause cancer. Asbestos-based brake pads would wear down over time, releasing asbestos that stuck to tires and get into the air. Manufacturers realized asbestos wasn’t a safe compound to use for manufacturing braking systems. As a result, organic brake pads, or non-asbestos organic (NAO) brake pads, were created to fill the gap.

Organic brake pads are made of a mixture of fibers and materials such as rubber, carbon compounds, glass or fiberglass, Kevlar, and more, and are bound together with resin. They tend to produce less dust than some other types of brake pads, such as metallic ones, and are available at a reasonably low price point. Unlike performance brake pads, which are primarily used in heavy and high-performance vehicles, organic brake pads generate a moderate amount of friction without much heat being present, making them suitable for drivers who use their cars for normal driving and commuting. Organic brake pads also tend to be quiet and don’t put much stress on the brake rotors, which is a plus because brake rotors can be costly to repair or replace if damaged.

However, organic brake pads do have some disadvantages when compared to other types of brake pads. Because of their composite nature, organic brake pads can tend to wear out a bit more quickly, meaning they might have to be replaced more often. They also tend to function best within a smaller range of temperatures, meaning they don’t work as well in extreme weather or when they are being pushed too hard and overheat. Organic brake pads also have a higher level of compressibility, which means the driver has to press the brake down with more force to engage them.

Ceramic Brake Pads

Another option for brake pads are ceramic brake pads. These brake pads are made from ceramic very similar to the type of ceramic used to make pottery and plates, but are denser and a lot more durable. Ceramic brake pads also have fine copper fibers embedded within them, to help increase their friction and heat conductivity.

Since they were developed in the mid-1980s, ceramic brake pads have been consistently increasing in popularity for a number of reasons:

• Noise-Level: Ceramic brake pads are very quiet, creating little-to-no extra sound when the brakes are applied.
• Wear & Tear Residue: Compared to organic brake pads, ceramic brake pads tend to produce less dust and other particles over time as they wear down.
• Temperature & Driving Conditions: Compared to organic brake pads, ceramic brake pads can be more reliable in a wider range of temperatures and driving conditions.

But, as with most things, there is some “give” that comes with the “take”; ceramic brake pads do have some limitations. Primarily, their cost: due to higher manufacturing costs, ceramic brake pads tend to be the most expensive of all types of brake pad. Also, since both ceramic and copper can’t absorb as much heat as other types of materials, more of the heat generated by braking will pass through the brake pads and into the rest of the braking system. This can cause more wear and tear on other braking components. Lastly, ceramic brake pads aren’t considered the best choice for extreme driving conditions, such as very cold climates or racing conditions.

Metallic Brake Pads

The final type of brake pad is the semi-metallic brake pad, often referred to as just “metallic brake pad”. Metallic brake pads are comprised of anywhere between 30% and 70% metals including copper, iron, steel, or other composite alloys. These various metals are combined with graphite lubricant as well as other fillers to complete the brake bad. The metallic brake pad compounds that are available vary, with each offering their own advantages for different situations as diverse as daily commutes to track racing.

For many drivers, especially those who value high-performance, the choice between ceramic vs. metallic brake pads is easy. Performance-driven drivers prefer the metallic brake pads because they offer improved braking performance in a much wider range of temperatures and conditions. Because metals are such a good conductor of heat, they tend to be able to withstand more heat while simultaneously helping braking systems cool back down more quickly. They also don’t compress as much as organic brakes, meaning less pressure needs to be applied to the brake pedal to affect stopping ability.

However, there are some disadvantages to metallic brake pads. They tend to be noisier than ceramic or organic brake pads - meaning a louder ride - as well as more stressful for the brake system, adding more strain and wear on the brake rotors. As far as price goes, metallic brake pads tend to fall somewhere between organic and ceramic pads. They tend to produce more brake dust than the other two varieties as well.

Choosing the Correct Brake Pad

So which brake pad is the best choice for you when deciding between ceramic brake pads vs semi metallic vs. organic? It really is dependent on the ride you expect from your vehicle combined with your personal driving style. If you have a high-performance sports car, or at least drive your vehicle like it is one, you’re likely best off choosing semi-metallic brake pads. On the other hand, if you do a lot of urban commuting, you might find a solid ceramic brake pad to be the better option. If you don’t put a lot of mileage on your vehicle, an organic brake pad might be the best, low-price option for your driving habits.

Below is a simple table that illustrates some of the comparative differences between organic, ceramic, and metallic brake pads.