Page 37 - TTG-Taiwan Transportation Equipment Guide 2024-09 Edition

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Industry News

Brake Pads:

The Hidden Heroes of Road Safety

By Andrew Hsu
"The difference of a few tenths of a second can quieter brake pads has increased. Taiwan Brake
be a matter of life and death," says Daren Wang, has set even stricter requirements, aiming for noise
Marketing & Sales Department Manager of Taiwan levels under 40 dB.
Brake Technology Corp. Often overlooked due to
their hidden nature, brake pads are crucial safety The braking force of a brake pad is measured
components that drivers and road users depend on by its coefficient of friction; a higher coefficient
every day. These essential parts play a vital role in indicates stronger braking performance. The basic
ensuring road safety. certification for assessing this is SAE J661, which
tests braking force at temperatures ranging from
Brake pads function by creating friction with 0 to 200 degrees Celsius and 200 to 400 degrees
the brake disc, which converts the vehicle's kinetic Celsius. For a more advanced and specialized
energy into thermal energy. This process slows evaluation, SAE J2522 is used. This certification is
down and eventually stops the vehicle. According highly regarded by automotive OEMs and high-end
to Daren, the quality of brake pads is determined by buyers, as it tests brake performance under various
two main standards: noise and braking force. conditions, including extreme temperatures up to
600 degrees Celsius.
Noise is measured using NVH (Noise, Vibration,
Harshness) indicators, which assess the sound and In terms of brake pads, Daren explained they
vibration produced when brake pads are in action can be categorized into three types: general
and the overall comfort experienced by the driver vehicles, business vehicles, and high-performance
during braking. One of the noise test standards sports cars. For general vehicles, the goal is
is SAE J2521, where the highest rating is AAA. to balance strong braking force with low noise
Vibration is the cause of noise, perceived as sharp and driving comfort, which can be inherently
noise by the human ear, often occurring at 70- contradictory. To address this, the selection of
80 dB. To maintain a quiet state, noise is usually composite materials has become a primary focus
controlled at 60 dB or less. With the rise of electric in research and development. One of the solutions
vehicles and their silent operation, the demand for is Taiwan Brake's composite ceramic formula,