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 press the brake pedal, the brake master cylinder generates hydraulic pressure, which is transmitted through the brake lines to each wheel's braking mechanism. This pressure forces the brake pads or shoes against the rotors or drums, generating friction that slows the vehicle down evenly and safely. 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.

Ake 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.

Enye enye indlela yokukhetha ama-brake pads yizikhwama ze-ceramic. Lezi zikhwama ze-brake zenziwe ngoceramic ofana kakhulu nohlobo lwe-ceramic olusetshenziselwa ukwenza izitsha nezitsha, kodwa ziqinile futhi zihlala isikhathi eside. Ama-brake pads e-ceramic nawo anama-fiber e-copper amahle afakwe ngaphakathi kwawo, ukusiza ukwandisa ukujula kwawo nokuhambisa ukushisa.

Kusukela bakhiwe phakathi kweminyaka yama-1980, amaphedi e-brake e-ceramic aqhubekile nokwanda kokuthandwa ngenxa yezizathu eziningi:

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.

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.

Ku ba balek, ikakhulu labo abavuna ukusebenza okuphezulu, ukukhetha phakathi kwe-ceramic vs. metallic brake pads kulula. Abashayeli abaqhutshwa ukusebenza bakhetha ama-brake pads e-metallic ngoba anikeza ukusebenza okuthuthukisiwe kokumisa emkhakheni obanzi kakhulu wezinga lokushisa nezimo. Njengoba imetal iyi-conductor enhle yokushisa, ivamise ukukwazi ukumelana nokushisa okuningi ngenkathi isiza izinhlelo zokumisa zibuye zishise ngokushesha. Futhi, awacindezeli kakhulu njengezithuthi ezisebenzisa izinto eziphilayo, okusho ukuthi ingcindezi encane idingeka ukuze ifake umthelela ekwaziseni.

Hayi, kune ezinye izinkinga ezihambisana nezikhwama zokubamba zensimbi. Zivame ukuba nezwi elikhulu kunezikhwama zokubamba ze-ceramic noma ze-organic, okuholela ekutheni kube nesipiliyoni esiphakeme sokushayela futhi kubeke ingcindezi enkulu ohlelweni lokubamba, kwengeza umthwalo nokugqoka kumarotors okubamba. Ngokwenani, izikhwama zokubamba zensimbi zivame ukuba phakathi kwezikhwama ze-organic nezika-ceramic. Zivame ukukhiqiza uthuli olukhulu lokubamba kunezinye izinhlobo ezimbili.

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.