I used to work for a brake company, and do tech clinics for mechanics. We sold
carbon-metallic brakes (as well as semi-metallic and organics). One should be
careful about generalising, but on the whole the carbon metallic brake pads
should be easier on the rotors than semi-metallic or full organic. The real
issue in brake life is heat dissipation: you are converting speed energy into
heat. A pad that moves the heat faster will likely last longer and help the
rotor last longer too. You can argue the the next thing in line is the
caliper, and perhaps there is an effect here but you'd have to get into the
mass involved. Our results with taxis showed remarkable improvement in brake
system life (rotors, calipers and pads), as well as improved stopping power.
A brake system is so involved that it is challenging to compare results: if
you can stop better, will you brake later or drive faster on occasion? New
vehicles' rotors, calipers, and pads (particularly the first two) do not last
anywhere near as long as older vehicles'. There are several reasons, but
weight reduction and front wheel drive are the primary culprits. The mass of a
new car braking system (excluding ABS) is tremendously lower than an older
style: lift a tiger rotor or caliper and any new cars'. Front wheel drive puts
the vast majority of the stress on the front brakes, dramatically reducing
life span.
See, it really isn't a brake company conspiracy, although we enjoyed the
additional sales. Given the technology ten years ago when I was in the
business I would be very keen on using carbon-metallic pads, unfortunately my
company didn't make them to fit Tigers. You can see why I am no longer with
them.
My 2 cents
Michael
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