What are Ceramic Brakes?
Ceramic brakes are brake pads that are ceramic instead of the more conventional semi-metallic brake pads. They are often more expensive than the semi-metallic types, but offer more benefits for the price.

What are the Benefits of using Ceramic Brakes?
There are numerous benefits of choosing to use ceramic brakes on your vehicle. They offer excellent performance when braking and typically produce lighter coloured brake dust that does not stick as much to the wheels – great for both aesthetic reasons and for those who have alloy wheels on their motor. They also wear well over time, meaning they can last longer than normal brake pads. This can mean they become better value for money, as they will have to be replaced less. They are very light, which, coupled with the other reasons, makes them great for cars that are high performance, such as sports cars. Additionally, they can withstand the heat of speedy driving over an extended period of time – another plus.

The Price Ranges of Ceramic Brakes
As mentioned previously, ceramic brakes are more expensive usually then standard ones. This is mainly due to their increased performance benefits, although prices will fluctuate from one supplier to another. When looking to buy ceramic brakes for your motor, it is best to make sure they are really what you want, as most cars do perform just as well with standard brake pads. However, if you are sure ceramic brakes are the ones you want to use (if you routinely race a car as part of club driving, perhaps), then they are definitely the way to go. In this case, be sure to look around and research your options. There are a variety of suppliers of ceramic brakes both in store and on the Internet, all offering slightly different prices to choose from. Be sure the product you are buying is right for your specific type of car and you will be getting the best value for your money as possible.

Interesting facts about ceramic brakes
Ceramic brakes when used in a racing scenario can actually glow red hot when in use. This has been documented by various photographers during races. There are three features ceramic brake pads have that others don’t; slots, chamfers and insulator shims. -Slots: these are cut into the pad to permit dust and gas to escape when used at high temperatures. Additionally, they change the vibration frequency of the pad. -Chamfers: These are the bevelled edges of the pads. This reduces the surface area of the pad, therefore reducing noise and creating more gripping pressure when the brakes in the motor are applied. -Insulator shims: again, these reduce noise. They dampen down vibrations and the additional layer absorbs sound. The first ceramic brake models were developed by British Engineers who worked for TGV in 1988. TGV is the high speed rail service in France. These brakes were initially designed to reduce weight and provide a stable braking friction when used at high speeds and temperatures.