Delphi Technologies Outperforms the Competition in Copper-Free Brake Pad Testing

WARWICK, UK - 30 April 2018 -- Delphi Technologies’ copper-free brake pads were recently tested against the OE equivalent and six other leading aftermarket brands on a VW Passat 2.0 TSI. The results speak for themselves. The Delphi Technologies’ part stopped quicker, in several cases by over three full car lengths, braked quieter and wore significantly less, demonstrating the engineering feat that goes into the development of its brake pads. 

At ECE Regulation 90 speeds of 100 miles per hour (mph), the vehicle equipped with Delphi Technologies’ pads stopped more than four meters ahead of the second placed brand and over 17 meters ahead of the worst. This is significant because, in the last four meters of braking at this speed, a vehicle can still be travelling at ten mph, and in the last 17 meters, 35 mph. At 50 mph, Delphi Technologies came a close second, but still stopped sooner than the OE. Importantly, at both speeds, the vehicle fitted with Delphi Technologies’ pads stopped under control demonstrating a stable friction coefficient that mirrors the OE.

“The higher a brake pads coefficient of friction, the more aggressive the pad and the greater its stopping potential,” explains Neil Fryer, vice president global marketing, Delphi Technologies Aftermarket. “However, for optimum braking performance you need a stable friction coefficient too. Our engineers have worked tirelessly to develop more stable pad compounds for consistently high performance, no matter what the conditions. So as well as stopping quicker, they do so in a controlled manner, just like the OE.”

Delphi Technologies’ pads provided equally impressive results in the wet too, registering the lowest reduction in friction coefficient levels from dry to wet conditions. The company’s copper-free technology averaged a friction coefficient loss of 30 percent across the six stops, compared with declines ranging from 34 to 81 percent for the other brands.

The environmentally friendly pads were also subjected to extensive SAEJ2521 noise dynamometer tests, replicating real world conditions. Delphi Technologies came top on all tests. Its pads recorded a near-silent 9.6 on the noise index, ten being silent, 0.5 points ahead of the next best brands. Furthermore, the Delphi Technologies’ pad registered only 0.1 percent of all noise occurrences above the 70db where brake noise can be heard. In sharp contrast, noise occurrences over the 70db threshold averaged eight percent across the other brands.

“We know noise is one of the biggest sources of customer comebacks on brakes” continues Fryer. “Obviously the easiest way to overcome this is to fit a brand with proven noise fixes. Our pads feature OE-quality shims, chamfers and underlayer technology for optimum noise reduction. These are clearly effective, resulting in a pad that’s even quieter than the OE.”

The Delphi Technologies’ pad continued to impress in the tests, achieving excellent results when it came to front axle wear. After 2,140 stops at different speeds and pressures, it experienced the least wear – lasting 33 percent longer than the next closest brand. This is a significant difference, especially when service costs are factored over the lifetime of a vehicle.

“As a leading tier-one brakes manufacturer, we never compromise,” concludes Fryer. “These tests clearly demonstrate the engineering prowess that goes into our brake pads. Each and every one is manufactured to achieve the optimal balance between noise, stopping distance and wear. This allows technicians to fit with confidence, knowing that they’re installing a quality pad that will deliver exceptional braking performance time and time again.”

For full details of the test results visit delphiautoparts.com.