Carbon Ceramic Brake Pads: The “Green” Upgrade For Your Car
If you have even the slightest interest in automobiles, you will have an idea of its braking system and be familiar with Carbon Ceramic brakes. Car brakes are not given enough thought by the average motorist because they believe if they work, then they work.
However, there are a lot of braking alternatives to try your hands on. It is usually the first thing drivers who happen to be performance lovers get their hands on when they want to modify a vehicle, which helps it to travel quicker and safer. Most manufacturers now use carbon ceramic components instead of conventional brake pads and rotor materials for high-end performance vehicles.
Although carbon ceramic discs have been shown to exceed expectations in demanding driving situations, are carbon ceramic brakes truly worth the cost?
In this article, we’ll examine several brake pad varieties and examine the working mechanism of carbon ceramic brakes.
Table of Contents
Advantages of Carbon Ceramic Brakes Over Conventional Brakes
1. Resistance to Brake Fade
The decline of braking force at high braking temperatures is known as brake fade.
Since carbon ceramic brakes typically don’t distort under high-temperature circumstances, they are less prone to brake fade than conventional brakes (such as cast iron brakes or steel brakes).
A carbon ceramic disc is also less likely to attain an abnormally high temperature because of its outstanding ability to dissipate friction heat. This enables the carbon ceramic brakes to deliver steady braking performance consistently regardless of who you are:
- track racing
- descending a hill
2. Durability
Compared to standard iron rotors, ceramic composite brake discs are strong and extremely resistant to wear.
Unlike carbon ceramic rotors, which can last over 100,000 miles or even outlive your car, conventional cast iron discs or iron rotors may only last up to 60,000 miles.
How long a carbon ceramic disc will survive, however, is not something that can be determined with absolute certainty. For instance, if you have a history of aggressive driving, your carbon ceramic brake disc may not last as long.
3. Improved Brakes
The traditional steel or cast iron brake rotors wear down quickly and produce a lot of brake dust, which sticks to and builds up on the wheels of your car.
On the other hand, carbon ceramic brakes have a high level of abrasion resistance. Furthermore, even if your carbon ceramic brake rotor does begin to wear, the brake dust that is produced will simply be blown away as your automobile continues to move.
4. Lightweight
Brakes made of carbon ceramic are very light.
For a given diameter, your carbon ceramic brake disc is likely to weigh half as much as a typical cast iron or steel rotor.
This makes your car lighter and significantly increases handling, which makes driving more enjoyable.
Along with the previous four advantages, carbon ceramic brakes are well-liked for their:
- silent operation
- corrosion protection
- distinct appearance
Disadvantages of Carbon Ceramic Brakes
1. They’re Pricey
Discs or rotors made of carbon ceramic are pricey. Carbon ceramic brakes can cost anywhere between $3000 and $150000, whilst steel or cast iron brakes may run you roughly $500.
For a 911 Turbo, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) can cost upwards of $21,000. That’s because it is difficult to make a carbon ceramic brake disc, the price is expensive. Building high-quality ceramic composite brake discs requires significantly more work and time than producing steel brakes or cast iron discs.
Moreover, you should get a set of carbon ceramic brake pads for your braking system rather than cheaper metallic, semi-metallic, organic, or other brake pads for the best interoperability.
2. Soft Feel
Many motorists who utilize carbon ceramic brakes lament how mushy they frequently feel.
This typically occurs when your carbon ceramic disc or rotor is cold, such as in the winter or after a period of inactivity for your vehicle. But this sponginess ought to disappear as soon as your car starts moving and as your brake disc warms up from braking.
This sponginess, however, might be challenging for persons who are using carbon ceramic brakes for the first time to control.
If the rotors are not of the same superior quality as the brake pads themselves, ceramic brake pads may result in increased rotor damage. This is why it’s crucial to confirm that the vehicle’s overall braking system comprises components that are designed to function together.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
What Kind Of Brake Pads Are Compatible With Carbon Ceramic Discs?
As of now, organic compounds, which are comparable to but different from those used with conventional iron brake discs, are the best choice for brake pads for carbon ceramic discs. These pads are more low- or semimetal in composition. Pagid Racing RSC series and Pagid Racing RSL29 pads can be utilized with our carbon ceramic brake discs. However, they are currently not offered for all shapes. We have created our low-metal pads that may be used for any pad form. Specially designed brake pad material for carbon ceramic brakes.
Why is Brake Bedding So Important For Brakes Made of Carbon Ceramics?
Another name for brake bedding is conditioning or brake-in. The brake pads compound will be applied to the carbon ceramic braking discs’ friction surface during the bedded-in process. The procedure primarily consists of heating and cooling steps. The friction surface of the discs will be uniformly covered with brake pad compound once the operation is correctly completed. If not, it might lead to NVH problems (Noise, Vibration, Harshness).
What Makes Ceramic Brake Pads So Appealing?
Although ceramic material isn’t typically utilized for brake pads in automobiles, it is in applications like rail and airplanes where the relative roughness is appropriate.
What Is The Lifespan Of Carbon Ceramic Brakes?
Traditional cast iron discs should be changed after an average lifespan of roughly 62,000 miles. That’s due to the composition and a very long lifespan. Carbon-ceramic discs last at least three to four times longer than conventional discs, so automobile owners don’t need to worry about this. In other words, they function flawlessly for the duration of the life of the vehicle they are attached to. One step away from infinity.
How Do Ceramic Brakes Wear Down?
Carbon fibers can burn off at temperatures considerably exceeding 500 degrees Celsius. This is especially true if the car repeatedly brakes hard from highway speeds.
The ceramic brake disk also becomes lighter due to “oxidative wear,” as experts refer to it in this context. Ceramic brakes should be examined frequently if they are put under a lot of stress. Disks that are heavily used and worn need to be repaired frequently.
Wrap Up!
Although there isn’t a single “best brake pad” that can be recommended to every customer, there is usually a “better choice” based on the client’s car and driving habits.
Customers who commute frequently, love the appearance of rims free of black brake dust, and don’t subject their vehicles to strenuous use such as heavy towing or track driving are the best candidates for ceramic brake pads.
