What is the impact of porosity on the performance and durability of ceramic brake pads with copper?

Porosity in Ceramic brake pads with copper, particularly those incorporating copper or brass, plays a crucial role in influencing both their performance and durability. The presence of porosity, which in your case averages around 15.0%, impacts several key characteristics of brake pads, including heat dissipation, wear rates, and overall braking efficiency.
Ceramic brake pads are widely appreciated for their balanced performance, combining the benefits of low noise, reduced dust, and stable braking power. The integration of copper or brass in these pads further enhances their heat dissipation capabilities. Copper and brass are excellent at conducting heat, which helps prevent brake fade—a condition where brakes lose effectiveness due to overheating. This characteristic is particularly valuable for maintaining consistent braking performance under high-stress conditions.
However, the average porosity of 15.0% in your ceramic brake pads can introduce both advantages and challenges. On one hand, porosity can facilitate better heat dissipation by allowing for improved airflow through the material, which aids in cooling the brake pads more efficiently. This aligns well with the heat dissipation properties of the copper content, helping to maintain stable braking performance during extended use.

On the other hand, higher porosity can lead to increased wear rates over time. Porous materials might be more prone to degradation under repeated friction and stress, potentially impacting the longevity of the brake pads. While your product's expected lifespan of 40,000-60,000 km is within the typical range for ceramic brake pads, the porosity might contribute to the moderate wear observed. This wear rate, with an average value of 0.50 mm, suggests a balance between performance and durability, reflecting both the material’s resilience and its limitations.
Moreover, the porosity in ceramic brake pads affects their structural consistency. Although your pads benefit from isotropic compression molding, which enhances product consistency, higher porosity can sometimes lead to variability in pad performance. Nonetheless, the incorporation of copper or brass helps mitigate these effects, ensuring that the pads remain reliable and effective across various driving conditions.
While porosity in ceramic brake pads with copper contributes to enhanced heat dissipation and improved overall braking performance, it also presents challenges in terms of wear and durability. The key advantage of your brake pads lies in their ability to balance these factors, providing excellent heat management and stable braking performance while maintaining a reasonable lifespan. This makes them a versatile choice for many drivers, offering both reliability and comfort in daily driving scenarios.