When choosing brake pads for your vehicle, you have to choose between semi metallic and ceramic brake pads. The choice between the two has an impact on your driving experience.
But are semi metallic brake pads better than ceramic? Knowing what makes them different can help you make this decision.
In this article, we will look at what makes semimetallic and ceramic brake pads differ from one another, including performance, durability, vagueness, and cost.
Topic Summary
- Understanding Brake Pads
- What Are Brake Pads Made of?
- Are Semi Metallic Brake Pads Better Than Ceramic?
- Semi Metallic Brake Pads
- Ceramic Brake Pads
- Which One is Better?
- FAQs on Are Semi Metallic Brake Pads Better Than Ceramic
- What Are the Main Differences Between Semi Metallic and Ceramic Brake Pads?
- Are Semi Metallic Brake Pads Suitable for Everyday Driving?
- How Long Do Ceramic Brake Pads Typically Last Compared To Semi Metallic Pads?
- Do Semi Metallic Brake Pads Require More Maintenance Than Ceramic Pads?
- Are Ceramic Brake Pads Worth the Higher Cost Compared To Semi Metallic Pads?
- Conclusion
Understanding Brake Pads
Sure, before we can talk about comparison, we have to understand what exactly brake pads are and why we should care.
Brake pads are a critical part of your vehicle’s braking system. They help slow or stop your vehicle by pressing against the disc (also known as the brake rotor).
The material used in brake pads affects how they wear and stop, as well as the interactions between the various components of your vehicle’s braking system.
What Are Brake Pads Made of?
Brake pads consist of several layers blended with friction-improving and heat-dissipating materials. The main constituents are:
Friction Materials: These materials are responsible for the braking process. They can be produced using organic materials (resins, rubber, and glass), semimetallic materials (metals like iron, copper, and steel), or ceramic materials (ceramic fibers mixed together with metallic materials).

Backing Plate: The backing plate is the metal plate that supports the friction material and is attached to the caliper and rotor. The backing plate is normally made out of steel or aluminum.
Adhesives and Bonding Agents: These hold the friction material to the backing material plate and bond them together with added heat.
The choice of materials affects the performance, noise, and longevity of the brake pads.
Are Semi Metallic Brake Pads Better Than Ceramic?
Semimetallic brake pads are powerful in stopping the car; they’re durable in high-temperature and high-speed driving and thus suited for heavy-duty or high-performance cars.
Ceramic brake pads are quiet and generate little dust, and they have a longer lifespan, so they are better suited for daily use or luxury car use.
Semimetallic brake pads are more powerful in stopping the car, while ceramic brake pads are quieter and less dusty, and thanks to the extra content, ceramic brake pads are able to prolong the lifespan of the brake pad.
It’s simple to choose which is suitable for your demand. If you need performance driving, you should select a semimetallic one. If you want to save time and get a comfortable driving experience, ceramic brake pads are a better choice.
Semi Metallic Brake Pads
1. Composition and Performance
Semimetallic brake pads consist of a mixture of metals (iron, copper, and steel) and other materials such as graphite.
These materials deliver a high amount of friction and dissipate heat pretty effectively. As a result, they have great stopping power and are suitable for heavy-duty vehicles or vehicles in frequent braking situations (such as trucks and SUVs).
2. Durability
Semimetallic brake pads have high durability since they can resist peak temperatures and last longer than many other types of brake pads.

However, due to their higher metal content, they cause more wear to the rotors and also, in turn, have to be changed quite frequently, which could eventually cost money in maintenance for replacing your rotors, too.
3. Noise and Comfort
A drawback of semimetallic brake pads is they make more noise than organic or ceramic pads, typically squealing and grinding from the metal particles or deposits of brake dust.
This is especially true when the pads are new or not bedded properly. They also tend to produce more brake dust, which causes your wheels to need cleaning more often.
4. Cost
As a rule, semimetallic brake pads are cheaper than their ceramic competitors. This is also their best feature as they are a good, cost-friendly alternative for those who do not wish to compromise too much on performance.
Ceramic Brake Pads
1. Composition and Performance
Ceramic brake pads are made from a combination of ceramic material plus a small percentage of metal fibers, which provides for smooth, quiet stopping while being consistent over a longer lifespan.
Ceramic’s stopping power has great advantages for everyday driving and provides a long-lasting service life.
2. Durability
Ceramic brake pads last longer compared to semimetallic pads. They do not increase the rate of wearing the rotors like some fast-wearing pads do, so the user might also get lower maintenance costs.

The durability of ceramic pads makes them an excellent option for those driving, especially in urban or rural highway driving.
3. Noise and Comfort
Ceramic residue is less noisy. It creates less braking noise and dust. This ultimately leads to an all-round pleasant driving experience.
Also, since ceramic brake dust produces substantially less dust residue than semimetallic brake pads, wheels need cleaning much less.
4. Cost
The ceramic brake pads have a longer life and softer performance and are quieter than the semimetallic options but may be more expensive to buy.
So, many car drivers would be willing to spend $20 more for ceramic brakes to extend a car’s life.
Ceramic brake pads have a longer life and softer performance and are quieter than the semimetallic options but may be more expensive to buy.
So, many car drivers would be willing to spend 20 (US) dollars more for ceramic brakes to extend a car’s life.
Which One is Better?
For the semimetallic and the ceramic brake pads, there’s not much difference, so it is up to you to choose one over the other according to your use and preferences:
For Heavy-Duty Use: If you drive a car with sports or performance-oriented suspension or brakes, or a heavier vehicle like a larger car, SUV, or pick-up, semimetallic brake pads would likely be a better choice than regular pads due to their superior heat dissipation and wear characteristics.
For Everyday Driving: If quiet performance, minimal dust formation, and long lifespan are more important than stopping power, ceramic brake pads will be your best bet, and your normal driving will be smoother and easier.
Ultimately, the best brake pads for you depend on your driving style, your budget, and the exact needs of your car, so it’s worth consulting a qualified mechanic.
FAQs on Are Semi Metallic Brake Pads Better Than Ceramic
What Are the Main Differences Between Semi Metallic and Ceramic Brake Pads?
The main differences are in the ingredients, the performance, and the noise. The semi-metallic brake pads are made of metals mixed in a special composition where the stopping power is strong, and they also have a long, durable life. This way, they are more suitable for use in a more demanding manner. Semi-metallic pads can be loud and dusty. Ceramic blocks are made of ceramic, and they are quieter and cleaner as the dust and noise are less, but the price is higher.
Are Semi Metallic Brake Pads Suitable for Everyday Driving?
Unlike semi-metallic brake pads, ceramics are less prone to noise and less likely to produce brake dust but slightly less grippy. On a daily basis, in urban or highway driving, ceramic brake pads might be more suitable compared to semi-metallics because ceramics tend to operate more quietly and leave less dust.
How Long Do Ceramic Brake Pads Typically Last Compared To Semi Metallic Pads?
Ceramic brake pads will last longer than semi-metallic pads. It will also provide less wear to the rotors. The semi-metallic pads will last longer, but they will get the rotors out faster compared to the ceramics, which results in more maintenance expenses.
Do Semi Metallic Brake Pads Require More Maintenance Than Ceramic Pads?
That’s right, semi-metallic brake pads will require more maintenance because they are more likely to wear down the rotors faster and create more brake dust, which would mean needing to clean the wheels more frequently and possibly replacing the rotors sooner than with ceramic brake pads.
Are Ceramic Brake Pads Worth the Higher Cost Compared To Semi Metallic Pads?
At a basic level, ceramic brake pads are much more expensive than semi-metallic pads, but if you can justify the expense, they tend to provide quieter performance, less dust, and longer service life, and this can translate into a lower total cost of ownership and a quieter, more comfortable driving experience. So it is a question of taste and your budget.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be said that semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads both have their good and bad sides.
Semi-metallic brake pads are cheaper and have strong performance and durability, while ceramic brake pads are quiet and clean and make driving the best way.
To decide which brake pads to choose, we should consider our driving style and habits.