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Choosing Brake Pads

Choosing Brake Pads

When it comes to brake pads, choosing the right type for your vehicle and driving habits is crucial for both safety and performance. Whether you're commuting, driving in the city, or hitting the track, different brake pads serve different purposes, and what works for someone else isn’t necessarily going to be the best option for you. Understanding the nuances of each type can help you make an informed decision and get the pads you need to meet your demands.

Brake Pad Testing

On top of the bare minimum safety standards for street-driven vehicles, most brake pad manufacturers work closely with industry testing experts like Link Engineering to perform dynamometer tests on different compounds. These tests are performed in a tightly controlled environment that provides actual data that can be used to compare performance. Typical testing results aim to quantify performance in the following standards:

  • Braking Coefficient (aka effectiveness or μ / mu) at low and high speed / temps
  • Cooling rate between stopping events
  • Pad Wear (contributor to dust)
  • Rotor Wear
  • Judder (vibration / smoothness)

We at FactionFab feel that providing this deeper level of performance data will help customers make more informed decisions about what pads will give them the best driving experience, especially among enthusiasts. Unfortunately, many major brake pad manufacturers shy away from providing these vital details. Our mission is to help you understand all the variables between compounds so you can choose what’s best for you.

 

Coefficient Standards and Registration 

Brake pad coefficient, using the Greek letter mu or “µ”, quantifies how grippy the pad compound is. It takes into account brake pedal / caliper pressure and the rate at which the vehicle will slow. A higher number will indicate a higher effectiveness, or better braking. Typically a economy daily driver will have a coefficient in the 0.2-0.3 range, and dedicated track pads can reach 0.6 or higher. These numbers are an average over the entire testing cycle. It’s important to understand how this number affects the limits and the feel of your brake pad. 

US brake friction standards are highly regulated by an organization called AMECA. In order to be sold legally in the US, each pad compound must be tested for certain dangerous materials (asbestos, etc.) and coefficient. The coefficient is also then categorized based on a lettering system set by SAE J866 and assigned a “code” used to identify the capability and focus of the pad: 

SAE J866 Friction Code Letter Reference 

Coefficient 

Code 

Application 

<0.15 

C 

Special Applications 

0.15-0.25 

D 

Low Coefficient Pads  

0.25-0.35 

E 

Street / Economy Pads 

0.35-0.45 

F 

Performance Street Pads 

0.45-0.55 

G 

Track Focused Pads 

0.55+ 

H 

Track Only Pads 

 

The letter code is assigned to each compound in two categories, low heat range and high heat range, so each pad will have a 2 letter combination indicating it’s capability, i.e. “EE” or “FG”. The AMECA organization keeps an active registry of ALL compounds currently legal for sale in the US with this information, which is accessible to the public through their website. This registration also comes with a specific reference code, and brake pads should have both the registration and friction code printed on the side of the pad.  

So even if you know nothing about the brake pad company or name you’re buying, you should be able to see the 2 letter code and have a good idea of what the pads are capable of. If the first letter is lower than the second (EG), that would indicate that the pad performs better at high temps and would be less effective during cold temp driving. If the second letter is lower (FE), that means that the pad may fade at high temps and would not be suitable for track driving. A great performance daily driver pad would have the FF code (which is the rating of our upcoming FactionFab V2 Pads!) 

Brake Pad Compounds – Strengths and Weaknesses 

There are four major types of brake pads: semi-metallic, organic, ceramic, and ceramic-enhanced (aka hybrid) pads. Each has its own advantages and trade-offs depending on your needs. 

Semi-Metallic Brake Pads 

Semi-metallic brake pads are made from steel fibers and are usually the most affordable option for a performance-focused car. They offer strong braking power, especially under high heat, making them ideal for drivers who push their vehicles to the limit. While it’s true that semi-metallic pads can create more noise and brake dust than other options, this is a natural trade-off for their superior durability and heat resistance. These pads can withstand high-pressure situations and are perfect for performance-minded drivers or those who frequently drive in demanding conditions. They also typically provide the best brake pedal feedback due to the firm nature of semi-metallic material compound.  

Semi-metallic compounds will come in a wide coefficient range from street to track (most full track pads are semi-metallic). Truthfully, there is no do-it-all pad, and a pad that is good for the street or cold weather will NOT cut it on hard track days, and vice versa. While some brake pad manufacturers advertise blanket “high performance” capability, it would be wise to dig a little deeper to see exactly what the intent of each specific pad compound is, and then pick the pad that matches your driving. Even though we all want to be race car drivers, trying to stop on a cold winter day with a track focused pad is asking for an accident. 

Organic Brake Pads 

Most modern OEM street pads are now made from organic compounds. Quieter and softer than semi-metallics, organic brake pads use natural materials like fibers and resins. They’re gentle on your rotors and generally inexpensive to manufacture, making them a good choice for everyday driving. If you are looking for a performance pad, they typically aren’t the best choice. They wear out faster, have softer pedal feedback, lose bite, and degrade quickly under hot conditions.  

Ceramic Brake Pads 

For drivers who value a cleaner, quieter experience, ceramic pads are a great choice. They produce less dust and last longer than other options but have compromises on the high temperature performance. Ceramic pads are popular in the performance and luxury vehicle segments because they provide smooth, consistent braking while keeping your wheels looking cleaner. These pads handle higher temperatures better than organic pads, making them a great option for daily drivers who occasionally push their car hard. The negatives for ceramic pads are lower bite, sharp coefficient drop, (high risk of “Oh Sh*t!” moment when they overheat) and a higher cost.    

Hybrid Brake Pads 

These newer formulations combine the quiet, low-dust performance of ceramic pads with the affordability and durability of organic materials. These pads are often copper-free, making them an eco-friendlier option, and are designed to deliver balanced performance for street use. This category of pad can be hard to nail down because hybrid pads will contain a wide variety of characteristics anywhere along the organic / ceramic sliding scale. Shopping for hybrid compounds requires deep research to find any hard performance data comparing them to other compounds, which may not be available to the public. 

Which is Best for You? 

Choosing the right brake pad depends on your driving habits and performance needs. If you prioritize smooth, quiet braking for city driving, ceramic pads might seem appealing if you are comfortable with the higher cost. But if you want a brake pad that offers superior heat resistance, strong initial bite, better rotor longevity, and without the steep price of ceramics, FactionFab V2 Brake Pads are the perfect option. 

Why FactionFab V2 Semi-Metallic Pads Stand Out 

FactionFab's V2 pads were spec’d to target the “stage 1” build. They are designed to take the benefits of semi-metallic pads to the next level, providing not only excellent heat dissipation but also enhanced rotor friendliness. They feature tighter backing plate tolerances, reducing uneven wear while offering superior braking consistency and control. Whether you’re a spirited driver or simply want a better every day braking experience, FactionFab V2 pads deliver the performance you need at an affordable price.  

Stay tuned for our engineering and testing data from Link Engineering when the pads are released. Coming soon! 

 

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