Friday, 30 September 2011

Understanding the Function of Brake Pads

It is important for automobile owners to have an idea about the various components of the vehicle so that they know what to change or repair in case of a snag. Brake pads are a part of disc brakes, the mechanism used to stop the motion of wheels, bringing the vehicle to a halt. The pads are fitted with friction material and their bodies are made of steel.

Generally in an automobile you will find that two brake pads are housed inside a component known as a brake caliper. The friction material fitted on the pads is attached to the surface of the disc brake facing the rotor. The main function of the pads is to convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle to thermal energy. The mechanism is based on the principles of simple physics.

When you apply the brakes while driving, the brake caliper pushes the pads into the rotor. The brake pads heat up on contact with the rotating rotor and shift some of their friction material onto the disc. The disc and pads then stick together, with the consequent friction bringing the vehicle to a halt.

There are several kinds of materials used to produce Car parts online. These include asbestos, metal and even organic components. The different materials all have different characteristics and are used as per the driver’s preference of noise levels, strength and smooth braking. While most conventional vehicles use a set of two pads in the brake calipers, racing cars house as many as six pads with a range of different frictional properties.

Obviously, the degree of wear and tear that is caused to brake pads depends on what they are subjected to in terms of usage. However, the rule of thumb is to change your pads regularly. In fact vehicles will give you various warning signs when it’s time to change your pads. Depending on the make and model of your car this could range from a particular warning noise to electric sensor alerts.

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