Types and features of brake systems and pads for cars

Brake system - one of the most important and responsible in the car, as it allows in an emergency situation to quickly stop the car and avoid collision, to quickly reduce speed or maneuver on a slippery road.

What types of braking systems are used in cars today

Working

It is responsible for resetting the speed in motion and helps to quickly stop the car.

Backup

It is needed in case the service braking system fails, and can be installed either independently or as part of the service system.

Parking

Used for prolonged parking of the car.

How the braking system works
The system itself consists of two basic elements, the brake and the actuator. The brake, in turn, consists of a movable and a stationary element, between which friction occurs when they come into contact, reducing the speed of the vehicle. The stationary ones are the disc or drum, which, when the brake pedal is depressed, make contact with the pads (the drum pads also make contact with the brake bands).
The pads are mounted inside the caliper on both sides and the caliper is mounted on a bracket. The pads are fed to the disc or drum by cylinders at the base of the caliper. Disc mechanisms are predominantly used today for all vehicle types, but drum brakes are still sometimes found in older rear-wheel drive vehicles.
When in contact with the pads, the disc gets very hot, so it is equipped with an air cooling system through special holes in the disc blade, which removes excess heat and provides an inflow of cold air.

Let's talk about brake pads
A brake pad is a plate with a friction lining in the shape of the silhouette of the contact patch with the drum or disc. It is the shape of the pad that allows you to understand its purpose - a pad for drums has a curved shape, while a pad for a disc will be straight.
Metal.
They are mainly made of copper and steel alloys, so they can withstand very impressive temperatures, but they also have a big disadvantage - a high level of noise when in contact with the disc. Metal pads are mainly used in racing track and sports cars.
Organic.
They are suitable for quiet driving at moderate speeds without harsh braking. The pads contain Kevlar, glass, rubber, carbon and other components. Such pads are characterized by quiet operation and reduced wear of the disc or drum, but are very sensitive to high temperatures.
Semi-metallic.
They consist of about 70% metal and 30% inorganic components and a friction modifier. They wear out rather quickly, but are highly resistant to heat.

Taking care of the brakes in the car

The basics of proper maintenance are detailed in each instruction manual. They boil down to checking the condition of pads and discs at every scheduled maintenance, inspection of hoses and metal pipes of lines, routine fluid replacement and control of its level in the expenditure tank of the master cylinder.


It is unacceptable to use low-quality aftermarket parts. Cheap pads will not be able to work effectively, at best there will be squeaks, and at worst they can quickly wear out the discs or fail when overheating.

More useful information
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Email: braking@brakingsystem.org