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Andrew Cilio
/ Nov 14 2022
Most of us think about our brakes the way we do our plumbing—not at all until something goes wrong. But if you put a high value on your truck's safety, towing capabilities, and appearance, it's worthwhile to consider your options.
We'll weigh in on the ongoing debate about ceramic vs. semi-metallic brake pads so you can compare the pros and cons of each based on what you prioritize, whether that's stopping power, replacement cost, cleanliness, or all the above.
Brake pads are plates that clamp down on either side of a brake rotor to slow down and stop a vehicle with a disc brake (as opposed to drum brake) system. When you press your brake pedal, these pads (held in position by calipers) create the friction needed to halt the rotation of your wheels. Since these pieces are the point of contact on your rapidly spinning wheels, they wear down little by little every time you stop and need to be replaced regularly. 
To give you an idea of just how much thermal energy passes through these little plates, Engineering Explained ran tests on their YouTube channel and found brake pads heat up to nearly 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Needless to say, you probably shouldn't skimp on them—especially if you plan on towing or driving in unpredictable weather conditions.
Brake pads come in a handful of material classes, but the most common are ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic, though you'll also see choices like carbon fiber and Ferro-carbon. We'll get into the nitty (ideally not too) gritty details on the top three below, but here are the broad strokes:
The word "ceramic" probably makes you think of pottery, kilns, and stoneware—and you're not wrong. Brake pads made of superdense ceramic materials (typically cut through with copper) leverage the benefits of this centuries-old structural component. This neat, quiet option is a solid performer that usually comes at a higher price point.
The composition, density, and corrosion resistance of ceramic brake pads give them some unique advantages over other options:
As you might have guessed, ceramic brake pads aren't perfect. There are still a few reasons you might explore other options due to these drawbacks:
If you plan on doing significant towing, ceramic brake pads offer strong but not top-level performance. Remember—the bigger the truck and the heavier the payload, the more you engage your brakes. Since ceramic pads require a little more pressure than semi-metallic pads, they aren't as well suited for performance applications.
From a maintenance standpoint, ceramic brake pads can be replaced less often than other options, preserve rotors for longer, and produce the least amount of brake dust. However, since they distribute heat throughout your brake system (as opposed to absorbing it), they're prone to overheating and can cause more strain on surrounding parts.
Semi-metallic brake pads are about three-fourths metal or less and contain blends of materials like steel, iron, copper, brass, and other alloys, rounded out by additives like graphite. This (almost literally) tough-as-nails construction gives them outstanding stopping power—as well as a few drawbacks.
Bridging durability and versatility, metal is the material of choice for drivers looking to get the best bite for their buck when it comes to brake pads. Here's why:
If you think you're all in on semi-metallic brake pads, keep in mind that there are a few drawbacks that come with all that stopping power:
If performance is your main concern, look no further than semi-metallic brake pads. The additional rotor wear, noise, and brake dust are small prices to pay when responsive stopping matters most. A little debris on your tires should be an afterthought when you're towing a horse trailer down a mountain.
Since metal is an infamously good conductor, it keeps heat created by braking friction from transferring to other brake system components. That's good news for your system as a whole, but your rotors will be more prone to thinning than they would be with ceramic pads. And if you like to keep your tires tidy, you'll have to clean the dust off pretty often.
Made from a combination of materials like glass, rubber, carbon, fiberglass, and resin binding, organic brake pads are generally the cheapest option available. They come stock on many vehicles and are only recommended for basic day-to-day driving.
If you're still driving with your factory-installed brake pads, there's a decent chance you've got these. Still, there are a few reasons you might consider sticking with them:
While organic options might have a slight edge on semi-metallic alternatives in terms of noise and dust, they've got some significant drawbacks:
If stopping power is a big concern for you, you may want to look to other options. Organic brake pads are perfectly fine for casual driving in moderate conditions, but for towing, volatile climates, racing, or regular driving on terrain where braking is crucial, consider spending up a little on semi-metallic or ceramic pads.
Like semi-metallic pads, organic pads can leave some debris on your tires (though usually not as much). They're also pretty gentle on your system as a whole and apply a pretty light touch on your brake rotors. The tradeoff is that the pads themselves are more prone to wear, so you'll need to replace them more regularly than other pad types.
The main differences between semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads are performance, noise, and dust. Semi-metallic brake pads get top marks for stopping power, but produce a fair amount of squealing and debris. Ceramic brake pads give you a little less stopping power but are quieter and cleaner.
Choosing the best brake pads for your truck should be pretty straightforward once you decide what qualities to prioritize. Your specific driving style, conditions, and needs might vary, but broadly speaking, you could break the choices down like this:
When in doubt, it never hurts to have more stopping power than you need. And don't forget safe braking is about more than just the pads, so remember to check in on the rest of your braking components while you're at it.
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