Brake Pads

TRW has achieved another braking first.

TRW has introduced Cotec - an innovative coating for its brake pads. Independent tests have proven that Cotec achieves significantly shorter stopping distances than the brake pads of major competitors or even OE, for the first stops after leaving a garage following a brake pad change.

In the normal bedding in process there is a period, known as the ‘green behaviour’ of the pad, which occurs at the start of the bedding in process where the friction co-efficient is lower than usual.

Drivers can find it difficult to adjust to the difference in performance during these first stops. TRW Cotec brake pads address this issue by improving the contact between the brake disc and pad.

Independent testing

In independent tests, TRW Cotec out performed major competitors and OE during the first stops by at least a car length.

Distance travelled when stopping from 50km/h

Every stop could be a safety critical stop.

The Range

TRW has made the decision to coat all of its brake pads with Cotec. The changeover is already underway with 450 of the fastest moving references, covering 90% of the European car parc, already Cotec coated. 

Scorching

Scorching is a vital part of the manufacturing process and involves heating the brake pad material to 600-700°C. Scorching allows the evacuation of gases and resins, trapped inside the friction material at the mixing stage. This helps to reduce the bedding in time to a minimum.

Advanced plate scorching – the OE standard

Not all aftermarket suppliers carry out scorching to the same level as TRW. Indeed, some don’t carry out the process at all.

TRW utilises advanced heat plate scorching. Not only is this the OE standard, but it is more effective and uses less energy than conventional scorching techniques.

During the process of advanced heat plate scorching, the friction material of the brake pad is pressed to a heated plate. This heats the matrix of the friction material, allowing carbonization to occur to the first 0.5 to 1.5mm of its surface.

Friction material

The friction material is the most important part of a brake pad. Heavy metal free, all TRW’s brake pads contain the optimum mix of raw materials from rubber to graphite.

TRW has made a significant investment over the years to ensure that we have the perfect mix – and we make it in-house.

The ingredients ensure a stable friction coefficient and the safest braking performance in all temperatures, at all speeds and under all conditions.

Back plate function

Brake pad back plates are high-quality steel plates that carry the friction material required for the braking function. The friction material is bound to the disc-facing surface of the back plate. The backing plate is powder coated which protects the back plate from rust.

Unique TRW design

The backing plates used by TRW are designed, patented and produced in-house to OE specification. They are fitted to the friction material with a unique adhesive compound which can withstand high temperatures and resists extremely high shear strengths.

Tested to the extreme

All TRW brake pads undergo a rigorous set of tests during production and on the road and the aftermarket testing mirrors OE procedures. Many aftermarket suppliers in Europe consider their adherence to ECE R90 specifications as a mark of excellence, but for TRW, this is a minimum.

TRW goes the extra mile with its testing procedures and its brake pads undergo a further shear strength test during production control – this ensures the pad material will not separate from the backing plate.

Quietly confident

TRW places great emphasis on noise reduction and its brake pads are fitted with high quality shims which act as a damper between the friction material and the brake caliper.

Our friction components are not only tested in our NVH (noise vibration harshness) laboratories and also on the road.

OE quality

But TRW is taking things to the next level. For the best possible performance, TRW now uses a fibre glass material instead of rubber for its shims. And where at an OE level, vehicle manufacturers use a metal shim held in place with special adhesive – TRW’s aftermarket parts follow suit.

And for the best possible noise reduction, many TRW pads have integrally moulded shims and a multi-layer construction.