For decades, asbestos was a common ingredient in brake pads. It offered excellent heat resistance, durability, and friction properties. However, once the health risks of asbestos exposure became clear, the industry had to find safer alternatives. In this blog, we explain why asbestos was used in brake pads, why it is now banned, and which materials have replaced it.
Why was asbestos used in brake pads?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be spun into strong fibers with unique properties. These characteristics made it an attractive material for brake pad manufacturers for many years.
1. Heat resistance
Asbestos fibers can withstand extremely high temperatures without breaking down. This ensured that brake pads continued to perform reliably even under the intense heat generated during braking.
2. Friction and durability
The fibers provided the friction needed to stop a vehicle efficiently. At the same time, they made brake pads more durable, which meant longer service life and fewer replacements.
3. Cost effectiveness
Asbestos was widely available and relatively inexpensive. For manufacturers, it offered a cost efficient solution without compromising braking performance.
Why is asbestos banned in brake pads?
It became well known that asbestos exposure can be linked to various respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Workers in the automotive industry, as well as consumers who worked on their own vehicles, were at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers released during brake maintenance or replacement.
Despite its excellent performance in brake pads, the use of asbestos was banned in many countries due to severe health concerns. Nowadays, over 50 countries have banned asbestos. To protect public health, several governments, including the European Commission, extended the ban on asbestos to friction products such as brakes and clutches. These bans aimed to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure during both manufacturing and vehicle maintenance, prioritizing the safety of workers and consumers.
Which materials replace asbestos in brake pads?
Today’s brake pads use safer materials that deliver similar braking performance. Most non asbestos brake pads fall into three main categories:
1. Organic brake pads
2. Semi metallic brake pads
3. Ceramic brake pads
Each material has its own characteristics. Semi metallic brake pads are widely considered the best choice for distributors and automotive professionals due to their durability, heat resistance, and braking performance.
Read our blog to discover why semi metallic brake pads remain a popular choice in the aftermarket.
How to ensure brake pads are asbestos free
It is not possible to determine whether brake pads contain asbestos through visual inspection. The only reliable way to confirm that brake pads are asbestos free is through laboratory testing. At Kavo Parts, we test all our brake pads annually for asbestos content. Samples are taken by an asbestos expert and analyzed in a certified laboratory.
Many suppliers require manufacturers to sign Non Asbestos Declarations. However, we believe documentation alone is not enough. Regular product testing is essential. That is why we perform random sampling at least once a year and whenever we start working with a new supplier. During factory visits we also verify that manufacturers continue to meet our safety agreements.
Look for ECE R90 certification
Another way to confirm that brake pads are asbestos free is by checking for ECE R90 certification. This regulation sets strict standards for replacement brake components to ensure safety and performance. One of the key requirements of the R90 standard is that brake pad materials must not contain asbestos. Brake pads approved under ECE R90 undergo extensive testing and fully comply with these requirements.
If you would like to learn more about ECE R90 regulations, read our blog: ECE R90 Certification: What is it and why does it matter?
