Brake Repair - The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ceramic Brake Pads

When it comes to brake repair, the type of pads you choose for your brakes can make a major difference in how much you spend. This article takes a look at ceramic pads and their pros and cons compared to more traditional materials.

Pads are what stop your brakes. Broken or worn-down pads are a common cause of brake repair. These pads used to be made of asbestos and then metal materials. Since the 1980's, ceramic pads have been used for both commercial and personal vehicles. These are considered the 'new wave' of pads for brakes and lots of people think they're far better than the old semi-metallic pads. Here are the pros and cons of ceramic pads compared to other materials.

Less Noise

The reason why ceramic pads replaced semi-metallic on commercial vehicles was the noise. Ceramic pads are much quieter than their semi-metal counterparts. The reason is that the materials used for ceramic pads such as filler materials and resin vibrate at a frequency outside the range of human hearing. This has allowed car manufacturers to make vehicles that make no noise at all when they stop.

Wear And Tear

Ceramic pads last significantly longer than semi-metallic pads and they don't wear down gradually over time. This means that you have the same smooth and quiet braking for the entire duration of the pads' lifetime.

Metal pads use steel wool and fibers that actually act as an abrasive on your rotors. This means that over time they can cause significant wear and tear to the parts of your braking system. Ceramic doesn't do this. Ceramic also causes less damage to your rotors because it can heat and cool so quickly.

Brake Dust

They also leave little brake dust. Actually, they leave about as much dust, but it's in finer particles so it's less apparent. The dust left by ceramic pads also doesn't stick to wheels like semi-metallic dust does.

Price

One of the downsides of ceramic pads is that they're more expensive. The materials used to manufacture the pads cost more and this extra cost is passed on to you, the consumer. Metal and organic pads are much cheaper by comparison. However, there are certain dealers that offer special deals on ceramic pads from time to time. Shop around and you can save.

Warming Up Time

It takes ceramic pads a little time to get used to your rotor. They have to warm up for a while before they'll fully grip the rotor and give you a nice, smooth stop. Semi-metallic pads don't require this initial warm-up time.

Ceramic pads are more expensive but many people believe they're well worth the price because they last longer and save you money on brake repair. They're durable and they'll perform at optimum level until they die completely, unlike semi-metallic pads that wear down gradually over time. If you're not sure which option is best for you, talk to your nearest brake repair specialists and get their opinion about the best pads for your car.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

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