Are you in the market for a replacement clutch but unsure where to start? That’s understandable since there are many different designs and finding proper specifications can be challenging. It doesn’t help that many manufacturers slap on bright paint and use jargon to make their products seem more impressive than they are. We wanted to offer some help by explaining the different types of clutch friction materials and what to expect from them.
Organic
When you choose organic friction plate, you can expect them to be composed of compounded rubber, phenolic resins, and friction modifiers. The two main types of organic friction options are molded and woven. Woven include fiberglass yarn that increases the strength of the clutch. Molded, on the other hand, are more affordable but provide less strength. We recommend woven over-molded in almost all applications.
Heavy-Duty Organic
Many stainless-steel plate manufacturers offer heavy-duty organic clutch friction. These are extremely similar to the regular organic material as far as smoothness goes. However, they offer higher durability and temperature resistance. These facings are optimal for street performance, towing, and hauling applications.
Ceramic
Ceramic facings are made of iron, copper, bronze, tin, graphite, or silicon dioxide. This is placed onto a backing plate and most often is riveted to fit the main plate of the clutch. We recommend ceramic clutch facing for those who enjoy regular racing. The reason is that ceramic facings can handle massive amounts of heat, which is common in racing applications.
Feramic
Feramic is composed of bronze, graphite, steel, and silicon dioxide. Some are the full face, and others are buttons. These offer a large friction coefficient and are optimal for diesel trucks. Otherwise, they can be used for racing, especially drag racing. This type of clutch provides temperature resistance along with smooth engagement.
Twaron & Kevlar
Each of these is trademarked names for a material used in clutch discs. Their advantages are smooth engagement and a long life. Often, these facings can last 200 to 300% longer than organic facings. Hover, an organic facing will typically be much stronger.
Clutch Components Done Right
At Raybestos Powertrain, we quality as stainless-steel plate manufacturers for the performance you need. Our clutch friction options are varied so you can choose based on your specific needs. We also offer other transmission components in the high-quality you deserve.
