High-performance ceramic fiber (reinforcing fiber for brake pads)
The Role and Function of Ceramic Fiber in Brake Pads
In brake pads, ceramic fiber is not the main friction material, but rather serves as a reinforcing fiber and functional modifier. Its core functions are as follows:
1. Reinforcing the Matrix and Maintaining Strength
It forms a three-dimensional network structure within the brake pad resin matrix, acting like "steel bars" to firmly hold the components together, preventing cracking and peeling under high-speed shearing and high temperatures.
It provides excellent mechanical strength, ensuring the structural integrity of the brake pad throughout its lifespan.
2. Stabilizing the Coefficient of Friction and Resisting Thermal Fading
Ceramic fiber itself is resistant to high temperatures (long-term operating temperature exceeds 1200℃), maintaining stable performance even under the high temperatures generated by braking (typically reaching 300-600℃, and even higher in extreme cases).
This helps maintain the coefficient of friction of the brake pad under high-temperature conditions, reducing "thermal fade" caused by high temperatures and improving driving safety.
3. Optimizing Wear and Lifespan
Its moderate hardness and wear resistance allow it to form a good friction pair with the mating brake disc, reducing abnormal wear on the disc (lowering the risk of disc scratching).
4. Improved NVH Performance (Noise and Vibration Reduction)
Ceramic fibers possess excellent damping and vibration reduction properties, effectively absorbing high-frequency vibrations generated during braking. They are a key material for solving brake squealing and other abnormal noise problems.
Compared to some metal fibers, they significantly reduce noise.
5. Reduced Dust and Corrosion
The dust generated by friction mainly consists of metal oxides and ceramic particles, which are light in color (grayish-white) and do not easily adhere to shiny wheel rims, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
Ceramic materials are chemically stable, and the resulting dust is far less corrosive than metal dust, causing less corrosion to wheel rims and the environment.