Pros and Cons of the two leading types.
Ceramic pads represent the latest in brake pad technology and were originally introduced on production vehicles in the 1980s. Ceramic pads are created from a blend of super-strong ceramic and copper fiber imbedded into the pad compound. Here's a quick breakdown of their pros and cons:
Pros:
They're quieter than semi-metallic pads
They create less dust, keeping your wheels cleaner
They last longer than semi-metallics
Cons:
They're not recommended for racing or heavy-duty towing
They're generally more expensive than comparable metallic pads
They generally cause more wear to brake rotors than metallics
Semi-Metallic Brake Pads:
Semi Metallic brake pads have been around for decades and as their name implies, are made with portions of metal fibers in the brake pad compound. High quality semi metallic pads contain fine metallic fibers, while cheaper pads will have larger, more coarse portions of metal imbedded into the compound. Here are the pros and cons of semi-metallic brake pads:
Pros:
Work great when cold, excellent for short trips and cold climates
They're available in track-ready and heavy-duty towing formulations
They're relatively less expensive than comparable ceramic pads
They're typically easier on rotors than ceramics
Cons:
They're louder than ceramic pads
They generate more black dust that sticks to wheels easier
They don't last as long as ceramics
Armed with that information ........ you decide.