Akebono is a world-leading manufacturer of high-quality brake pads and linings, supplying products for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, Shinkansen bullet trains, and high-performance motorsport teams. Every Akebono brake pad is engineered with a commitment to optimal braking performance, long-term reliability, and safety.
Advanced Material Composition
Akebono brake pads are manufactured using a sophisticated blend of 10 to 20 raw materials, categorized based on their roles:
- Bonding Materials – Mainly phenol resin, used to solidify the mixture and provide structural strength.
- Stiffeners – Organic and inorganic fibers such as aramid and metal fibers, enhancing mechanical intensity and durability.
- Friction Adjustment Materials – Lubricants, organic and inorganic fillers, abrasives, and metal powders blended to fine-tune braking effectiveness and stabilize performance.
Through strict formulation control, Akebono ensures consistent friction, strong mechanical integrity, and durability even under the toughest conditions.
Reliable Performance Under All Conditions
Akebono brake pads are designed to deliver stable performance despite variations in speed, load, brake temperature, and environmental conditions such as humidity, water, or mud. Key performance features include:
- Optimal braking effectiveness with a well-controlled friction coefficient
- Consistent performance in all driving and environmental conditions
- High resistance to thermal and mechanical stress
- Excellent durability with reduced wear
- Minimized brake noise, squeal, and vibration
- Low damage to disc rotors, protecting contact surfaces
- Low thermal conductivity, preventing excessive heat buildup in brakes and brake fluid
Technology Refined Through Motorsport
Akebono continually advances brake technology through involvement in high-performance motorsport, including events such as the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race. The expertise gained under extreme racing conditions is applied to the development of brake pads for everyday passenger vehicles, resulting in superior safety and performance.
Commitment to Environmental Responsibility
Akebono has led the industry in eliminating asbestos from friction materials, completing a full transition to non-asbestos brake pads for OEM products in the early 1990s.
Addressing global environmental regulations, Akebono also develops copper-free friction materials and has produced copper-free replacement parts since 2007, followed by OEM supply in 2014. Current research includes biomass-based friction materials and brake pads designed to minimize brake dust generation, supporting a cleaner environment.
Rigorous Inspection and Testing
To ensure quality and reliability, Akebono employs extensive testing methods, including:
- Physical property evaluations such as hardness and material strength
- Chemical analysis of organic components
- Dynamometer testing with actual brake systems
- Real-world testing at the Akebono Ai-Ring, one of the largest proving grounds operated by an automotive parts manufacturer
These processes guarantee consistent braking performance from development to final product.
Core Product for Passenger Cars
For passenger vehicles, Akebono’s primary offering is non-steel brake pads, well-known for their balanced characteristics of braking effectiveness, durability, and low noise. These pads form the core of Akebono’s product lineup and reflect decades of expertise in friction material technology.
Akebono Brake Pads — Engineered to deliver precision, stability, and peace of mind under every driving condition.
