The Pros & Cons of Ceramic Brake Pads

By Mike Cote - March 13, 2020

There’s a right way and a wrong way to do anything, and through the thick storm of relentless marketing hype, that line can get a little blurred. Every brake pad manufacturer says that they’re the best, and that they’re an upgrade from whatever you already have. In the real world, though, not every brake pad is created equally, and it can be hard to find what you need. We don’t want noisy brakes and dust annoying us during our daily driving.

To accommodate this, brake friction materials have evolved significantly over the years. They’ve gone from asbestos to organic to semi-metallic formulations. Each of these materials has proven to have advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental friendliness, wear, noise, and stopping capability.

Asbestos pads caused health issues and organic compounds can’t always meet a wide range of braking requirements. Unfortunately, the steel strands used in semi-metallic pads to provide strength and conduct heat away from rotors also generate noise and are abrasive enough to increase rotor wear.

Since they were first used on a few original equipment applications in 1985, friction materials that contain ceramic formulations have become recognized for their desirable blend of traits. These pads use ceramic compounds and copper fibers in place of the semi-metallic pad’s steel fibers. This allows the ceramic pads to handle high brake temperatures with less heat fade, provide faster recovery after the stop, and generate less dust and wear on both the pads and rotors. And from a comfort standpoint, ceramic compounds provide much quieter braking because the ceramic compound helps dampen noise by generating a frequency beyond the human hearing range.

The ingredients in ceramic compounds produce a light-colored dust that is much less noticeable and less likely to stick to the wheels. Consequently, wheels and tires maintain a cleaner appearance longer.

The Benefits of Ceramic Brake Pads

• Ceramic brake pads handle extremely high temperatures with little fade.
• They recover quickly and cause less damage to the rotors.
• They create a finer, lighter dust than semi-metallic pads.
• The dust doesn’t stick to wheels.
• Studies have found that ceramic brake pads have a longer life span.
• Noise control, rotor life, and braking performance are not sacrificed.

Cons of Ceramic Brake Pads

• Ceramic brake pads tend to be more expensive than semi-metallic pads.
• Not suitable for all vehicles, so always be sure to check your owner’s manual before making a purchase.

Selecting the Right Brake Pads for Your Ride

Once you decide to go with ceramic brake pads, you’ll want to check out the ceramic brake pads reviews on our website to help you choose the best ceramic brake pads. Compare the Hawk Performance ceramic brake pads review with the Posi Quiet brake pads review. Or, see which brake pads perform best with your Brembo rotors or stainless steel brake lines. We make it easy for you to get all the information you need before making your buying decision.