Chances are, you work with a lot of different machines. And each type is designed for another purpose and, thus, has unique needs all its own.
But there’s one thing that all of your machines have in common: brakes. That is, they all rely on a friction material to quickly stop certain functions when necessary.
The question is, how do you choose the suitable brake friction material for your needs? Well, you can start by reading this guide.
Below, we list and explain the three primary brake materials and what types of work they’re best suited for. With this information, you’ll be able to determine which type is ideal for your machine/equipment. Read through this pros and cons list to learn all about choosing brake friction materials.
1. Ceramic Brake Friction Materials
Ceramic brake materials are very quiet during operation and produce very little dust. However, they are not as durable or resilient as other friction materials.
Specifically, they are comparably more susceptible to damage, wear, and overheating. Overheating is arguably the most significant problem as it can damage your machinery.
Then, ceramic friction materials are not the best choice for harsh/heavy use. But they are the best choice for gentle use that won’t wear them out so fast. If the intended use doesn’t require extreme durability, the bottom line is choosing ceramic brakes for smooth, clean, quiet operation.
2. Semi-Metallic Brake Friction Materials
Semi-metallic brakes are the most durable and long-lasting option listed here. They are highly resistant to overheating and stand up well to almost any task, even very heavy use. As for functionality, they also have the best stopping power of any brake material.
However, they may, in some cases, be too resilient. That is, they are so durable that they could very well wear down your machinery.
Regardless, you may not have a choice. If you need a brake that can stop fast and stand up to high heat and heavy use, semi-metallic brakes are your best option.
3. Hybrid Brake Friction Materials
Your third and final option is a hybrid brake material. These are a hybrid of semi-metallic and ceramic brakes—not just in their composition but also in their performance.
To summarize, hybrid brakes are heat-resistant, durable, and have good stopping power. But they’re also quieter and more gentle to your equipment than semi-metallic brakes. Because of this, they are the perfect in-between option for situations in which neither of the other options is ideal.
For example, you may need something more durable than ceramic brakes. But you don’t want the material to be so hardy that it tears up your machine. In this case, hybrid brakes are the best choice.
Which Brake Friction Material Do You Need?
Now that you’ve learned the advantages and disadvantages of each type, which brake friction material seems right for your needs? If you’re still having trouble deciding, we can help. Contact us here so we can answer your questions and give you a quote.