Semi-metallic brake pads are one of the three main pad types, and they have a clear personality: strong and heat-tolerant, but a bit rough around the edges. Knowing their pros and cons helps you decide when they are the right choice over ceramic.
What they are
Semi-metallic pads are 30 to 65 percent metal - typically steel wool, copper, or iron - mixed with friction modifiers and a binder. All that metal is what gives them their strengths and their drawbacks. See how they compare in our choosing brake pads guide.
The pros
- Excellent heat handling - the metal content moves heat away from the rotor quickly, so semi-metallic pads resist brake fade under heavy or repeated braking.
- Strong bite - good, firm stopping power, and they work well across a wide temperature range.
- Great for towing, hauling, and heavier vehicles - see best pads for towing.
- Often cost less than premium ceramics.
The cons
- More noise - they can be louder than ceramic, especially when cold.
- More brake dust, and it is darker and stickier - see what causes brake dust.
- More rotor wear - the metal is harder on rotors over time.
- Can be grabby when cold until they warm up.
When to choose semi-metallic
Pick semi-metallic when the vehicle works hard: towing, hauling, mountain driving, or a heavy truck or SUV where fade resistance matters more than absolute quiet. For a quiet, clean daily commuter, ceramic is usually the better match - see do ceramic pads stop better. Whichever you choose, fit them as an axle set with fresh hardware and bed them in. Browse brake pads by vehicle.