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    BRAKE PADS

    May 14, 2021 5 minutes

    WHAT IS A BRAKE PAD AND HOW DOES IT WORK TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN?

    During braking, force applied to the pedal is converted to a hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder. This brake fluid pressure is instantaneously transferred, via the brake lines, to the brake callipers. The increase in pressure causes the calliper pistons to extend, clamping the brake pad against the disc, which serves to convert the vehicle’s kinetic energy into thermal energy via friction.

    The actual job of the brake pad is to generate a consistent level of friction against the disc across a wide range of temperatures. It also must maintain performance in the wet, have acceptable levels of wear, not produce too much dust and (preferably) be silent in operation.

    The real challenge lies with the fact that all these desirable attributes are mutually exclusive. It’s not possible to develop

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