In the modern automobile industry, the brake system is a key component to ensure driving safety, and the brake pad is the core component that directly contacts the brake disc to generate friction. Its structural design directly affects the braking performance and service life. Understanding the structural composition of brake pads not only helps to improve product quality, but also provides professional support for technical communication in international trade.
Basic structural composition of brake pads
Brake pads are usually composed of four main layers, each of which has a specific function:
Friction material layer
This is the core part of the brake pad, which directly contacts the brake disc and generates friction to achieve deceleration. Friction materials are usually composed of a variety of composite materials, including fiber-reinforced materials (such as ceramic fibers, steel fibers), fillers (such as graphite, copper powder) and adhesives. Different formulations of friction materials determine the wear resistance, heat dissipation and braking noise level of the brake pad.
Adhesive layer
The adhesive layer is located between the friction material and the backing plate, responsible for firmly bonding the two. This layer usually uses high-strength resin or rubber materials to ensure stability under high temperature and high pressure environments and prevent friction materials from falling off.
Back plate
The back plate is the metal support structure of the brake pad, usually made of low-carbon steel, which plays the role of fixing friction materials and transmitting braking force. The surface of the back plate is rust-proofed and may have positioning holes or silencer mounting slots to adapt to the brake calipers of different models.
Silencer (optional)
Some high-end brake pads are equipped with silencers, usually made of rubber or composite materials, installed on the back of the back plate. Its function is to reduce the vibration and noise generated during braking and improve driving comfort.
Technical trends in brake pad structure
As the automotive industry develops towards new energy and high performance, the structural design of brake pads is also being optimized. For example, ceramic-based brake pads have gradually become the mainstream in the high-end market due to their low dust and high temperature resistance; and for the regenerative braking system of electric vehicles, the friction material formula of brake pads is also being adjusted to adapt to the braking requirements of lower frequency but higher intensity.
Mastering the structural knowledge of brake pads will not only help improve product competitiveness, but also provide more professional technical support for international customers. In future development, lightweight, environmental protection and intelligence will become the main direction of brake pad structural innovation.
