Zero Copper feasibility in Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO) Brake Pads - Friction Product Formulas

The Federal-Mogul Chapel-en-le-Frith site (North Derbyshire) manufactures friction products (brake pads and shoes) for the automotive & rail sectors. The light vehicle market is a high volume, highly price driven market. Copper is currently utilised in friction products to add structural integrity, aid heat transfer and reduces juddering during braking etc. Recent studies have shown that copper from brake dust from cars is a significant contributor to pollution in waterways; this is then toxic to aquatic organisms. As a result of these studies two US states have introduced laws to limit copper content in brake pads to <0.1% by 2025. It is anticipated that similar limits will eventually be rolled out globally. In order to address this issue and protect and grow market share, Federal-Mogul will undertake a feasibility study to remove Cu from its light vehicle friction component formulation currently in use, by focusing primarily on the use of ‘Non-Asbestos Organic’ components as alternatives.