Copper is a durable metal that can conduct heat quickly. That’s the primary reason why flakes or fibers of copper have been blended with other ingredients in many semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads. Copper increases the thermal conductivity and heat resistance of brakes by helping produce a film on the friction surfaces. Resulting in reduced brake fade, improved pedal feel, stopping distance and braking safety.
But copper has a harmful side, too. International environmental studies have indicated that the brake pads are a significant source of copper in urban runoff polluting waterways. The tons and tons of microscopic brake dust particles that vehicles generate on the highways often end up in places where it causes environmental harm. Copper-containing brake dust from highways near lakes, rivers and reservoirs can pollute the water and harm aquatic life. Urban brake dust can also end up in rivers in lakes when rain washes the dust down storm sewers that connect to these bodies of water. This contaminated stormwater can have a detrimental impact on fish, amphibians and aquatic plants in our streams, rivers and lakes. Because of this, California and the state of Washington passed legislation calling for a reduction and gradual phase-out of copper and other heavy metals from all automotive brake pads sold in those states by 2025.
The law requires low-copper pads to contain less than 5 percent copper by weight by 2021, and no-copper to contain less than 0.5 percent copper by weight by 2023. Other metals and minerals that are also being phased out include antimony, asbestos, chromium, lead, mercury and cadmium (all of which can be toxic to humans).
Green is in our DNA, to protect this special ecosystem, like many vehicle manufacturers, Yijing Brakes has introduced low-copper or copper-free friction materials to our product lines. These new low or no copper brake pads outperform the last generation friction materials they replace (better stopping power, fade resistance, pad life and noise suppression).
The Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency (AMECA) is certifying compliance with new “A,” “B” and “N” edge codes. Each edge code represents a different level of compliance. “N” is the best rating with less than 0.50 percent copper and no asbestos or other heavy metals.
“Leaf Marks” also are being used on some packaging to indicate the compliance level of the product. The more leaves that are colored in, the better. One leaf is not yet compliant. Two leaves is less than 5 percent copper. Three leaves is less than 0.5 percent copper.
As time goes on, we will see less and less non-compliant product on the shelf and more low-copper and no copper pads from all brake pad manufacturers.
