Do Ceramic Brake Pads Contain Asbestos

Asbestos exposure from brake pads.

Do ceramic brake pads contain asbestos.

Im planning on buying a front set of these pads for 17 bucks from pepboys but im concerned about asbestos dust being formed from these pads. The appearance of ceramic brake pads as a common aftermarket option began in the 1990s. Replacement brake part sales in the us and canada will see a shift in the product mix toward alternatives such as nao brake pads which are less expensive but also less durable than asbestos containing alternatives and high value durable ceramic brake pads. Although us automakers report they do not use brake pads brake linings or clutch linings that contain asbestos many aftermarket brake part suppliers still sell products containing asbestos.

Does raybestos ceramic brake pads contain any asbestos. Asbestos is well known as a human carcinogen yet there are still materials containing asbestos in the usa and one of those products is often brake pads. I heard raysbestos was known as a major contributor of asbestos sickening in the past. When asbestos materials have been installed and are inert they re considered stable and relatively safe.

These aramid fibers used in ceramic brake pads are certainly not ceramic fibers because although some good friends from the far east do actually use ceramic fibers they are a carcinogen and as dangerous if not more dangerous than asbestos. As health concerns led to a decline in the use of asbestos pads newer materials including ceramic were used instead. The danger of airborne asbestos fiber exposure happened when asbestos containing materials acms were disturbed or became old and friable. According to the epa you cannot tell if a brake or clutch part has asbestos by merely looking at them.

The organic pads made by reputable suppliers may contain small amounts of ceramic particles not fibers.