Why Steel and Copper Make Metallic Brake Pads Ideal for Heat Dissipation and Performance

Metallic brake pads, specifically those containing steel, copper, and other metal components, have become the go-to choice for high-performance applications. These materials not only contribute to overall strength and durability but also play a pivotal role in thermal conductivity and heat dissipation—two key factors in ensuring consistent braking performance under extreme conditions.

Steel, a primary component in these brake pads, is renowned for its excellent thermal conductivity. When a vehicle brakes, kinetic energy transforms into heat. This heat builds up between the rotor and brake pad, and if not properly managed, it can cause brake fade—where the brakes lose their effectiveness due to overheating. Steel’s ability to transfer heat efficiently helps distribute this thermal energy more evenly across the brake system. By reducing localized heating on the brake pad surface, it prevents excessive wear and minimizes the risk of overheating, ensuring that the pads maintain their friction levels even under high temperatures.

However, steel is not the only metallic component contributing to the performance of these brake pads. Copper, which is often alloyed with steel in high-performance metallic brake pads, adds another dimension to heat management. Copper's superior heat conductivity is even greater than steel’s, allowing it to rapidly draw heat away from the friction surface and dissipate it throughout the pad structure. This rapid heat dissipation is essential during aggressive braking maneuvers, such as those experienced in racing environments, where temperatures can soar to extreme levels within seconds. Copper’s presence ensures the brake pads remain cooler for longer, thereby reducing brake fade and extending the life of both the pads and rotors.

The AK-Master bench test results highlight how these materials contribute to overall brake performance. With a friction coefficient (μ) between 0.40 and 0.45, the pads exhibit responsive, sensitive braking that remains reliable even as the temperature rises. Even at their minimum friction coefficient of 0.30, the pads continue to offer effective stopping power, a critical attribute for safety and performance. Furthermore, the wear rate of 0.60 mm, while moderate, indicates that despite their ability to manage heat effectively, metallic pads can endure heavy loads without rapid degradation—perfect for vehicles subjected to frequent, intense braking.

Additionally, the porosity of the pad material, measured at 6.0%, plays a supportive role in enhancing the thermal properties. The controlled porosity allows the pads to "breathe," enabling trapped gases or heat to escape rather than building up at the braking surface. This further ensures that the pads maintain a consistent friction level while reducing the risk of glazing or excessive rotor wear. Combined with isotropic compression molding, which ensures that the pads are manufactured to a high degree of consistency, metallic brake pads can be relied upon to perform uniformly across various driving conditions, from everyday commuting to intense track days.

Yet, the benefits of metallic components like steel and copper extend beyond just heat management. They also enhance the structural integrity of the brake pads, allowing them to withstand the rigorous forces they experience during high-speed braking. This durability ensures that the brake pads are not only capable of handling heat but can also endure the physical stresses that come with aggressive driving styles, making them particularly well-suited for racing cars, sports cars, and other high-performance vehicles.

The inclusion of steel and copper in Metallic brake pads isn't just about durability and strength—it's about making them highly effective heat conductors. These materials ensure that the pads can handle the heat generated during intense braking without compromising performance. This combination of thermal conductivity, high-temperature resistance, and wear control makes metallic brake pads the top choice for drivers who demand reliable, high-performance braking, especially when pushing their vehicles to the limit. Whether on the racetrack or the road, metallic brake pads, thanks to their steel and copper components, excel at keeping your brakes cool, responsive, and reliable.