Brakes are an essential part of most forms of industrial machinery. An important safety feature, you must maintain and update them when necessary.
But do you know what your machinery’s brakes are made of?
Many people may not know that there are three kinds of brake pads found on the market today. Every vehicle has at least one of these kinds of brakes.
This article will help you find the right replacement brake lining material for your machinery.
Asbestos Based Brake Lining Material Causes Cancer
Brake lining material (brake liners) was once made out of asbestos-based material. Asbestos was common due to its ability to get rid of excessive amounts of heat.
Asbestos brakes are cheap and fire resistant.
It is also a harmful cancer-causing material. The dust asbestos lined brakes create in a brake drum can cause Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that attacks the lungs and digestive tract.
Asbestos brakes are no longer available on the market due to government regulation.
But there three types of brake lining material make up the pads marketed today.
And with a little help, you will be able to find the right kind!
Three Common Options for Brake Lining
The three kinds of brake lining material are non-asbestos, semi-metallic, and ceramic friction.
Non-Asbestos Brake Lining
Non-asbestos is an organic lining that is environmentally friendly and durable. Rubber, glass, various types of resin and even Kevlar are in these brakes. Only a small amount of metal makes up this kind of lining.
Non-asbestos linings are less durable than their counterparts. This kind of brake creates dust when in use but they are not considered pollutants. They are also far quieter than asbestos and semi-metallic brakes.
Semi-Metallic Brake Lining
The second lining material is semi-metallic. This kind of lining was created in the 70s. Many kinds of metals make up semi-metallic brakes. Usually brass, copper, and steel.
These brake linings are durable, cheap and easily maintained. But because of their somewhat metallic construction, they can be loud.
Ceramic Friction Brake Lining
The last option is the more high end available.
Ceramic friction brake pads are lightweight due to their copper construction. They are efficient at heat dissipation and help reduce metal-to-metal wear.
These pads are common with most high-performance vehicles on the market today. Because of this, they are also the most expensive.
Knowing what kind of brakes your machinery needs is essential.
No one piece of machinery is the same and will need specific kinds of brakes.
Know Your Machinery Needs
The long and short of this is that every industry has machinery with different needs.
Knowing the types of material that make up brake linings is going to help you choose the right kind of brake.
No two machines are going to have the same brake setup. If you know what kind of brakes your machinery uses then, you’ll be able to choose the right kind of replacement brake liners.
The brands we sell have the replacement necessary to keep your machinery up and running.
Contact us today with any questions you have!