The Interesting Evolution of Brake Pad Materials

One thing you’ve probably never thought about is the interesting evolution of brake pad materials, but this industry has had a journey worth exploring.

You probably drive your vehicle several times a day and expect your brake system to work when you press that peddle. Have you ever wondered how brake pad materials evolved as cars changed? Let’s take a closer look at this question.

Brake Pad Invention

Herbert Frood invented the brake pad in 1901 in Derbyshire, England. He used wood, leather, camel hair, and resin inside the cotton cloth. These materials worked well until vehicles could drive faster and required more friction to slow down.

Horseless carriages could only travel 6-12 miles per hour. By the early 1900s, vehicles evolved and could drive 30 miles per hour. The quicker speeds intensified the need for improved braking.

New and Improved Brake Pads

Frood focused on other materials to create superior brake pads. He made the first asbestos friction material in 1910. Asbestos could do two significant things that the braking system needed: it was an excellent insulator and could handle the heat.

By the end of the 1960s, it was widely understood that asbestos was a cancer-causing material, and the industry banned the material. It’s important to know that you can find asbestos in some imported brake pads since they have different standards.

Sustainable Materials and Brake Pads

Many materials create brake pads:

• Binders
• Fillers
• Abrasives
• Reinforcement

Engineers needed to figure out how to create brake pads without asbestos. Phenolic resin affects brake pad manufacturing when combined with sustainable materials. Resin is part of the binder and adapted as brake pads changed.

Utilizing renewable and recyclable materials like coconut shell waste will create a sustainable brake pad. The demand on brake pads continues to grow as cars become faster. They need to hold up to today’s standards. Brake dynamometers can stimulate the conditions brake pads experience, which allows manufacturers to service our braking system better.

As you’ve discovered, brake pad materials have undergone a transformative evolution. We no longer have to worry about toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere when we apply the brakes. It’s nice to know the industry is moving to become more sustainable.

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