Best Brake Pads for Carbon Ceramic Brakes: The Complete Guide by Vehicle
- Triton Motorsports
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
The best brake pads for carbon ceramic brakes are not the same pads you'd use on iron brakes — and using the wrong compound on a carbon ceramic disc is one of the most common and expensive mistakes exotic car owners make. The wrong pad doesn't just underperform on a CCB system. It actively damages the friction layer of the disc, accelerating wear and potentially voiding any warranty on a brake system that costs thousands of dollars to replace.
This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the right brake pads for carbon ceramic brakes — what makes a CCB-specific pad different, what happens when you use the wrong one, and the correct pad for every platform Triton Motorsports manufactures carbon ceramic brakes for.
Why Carbon Ceramic Brakes Need Specific Pads
Carbon ceramic discs operate at fundamentally different temperatures than iron rotors. The silicon carbide matrix surface requires a pad compound engineered to work within that temperature range — delivering consistent friction coefficient without the abrasive characteristics that would physically erode the CCB disc's friction layer.
Standard iron-brake pads — including most OEM pads, performance pads like EBC Yellowstuff, and virtually all entry-level aftermarket options — contain metallic compounds, copper, and aggressive abrasives designed to work against iron. Against a carbon ceramic surface, these compounds act like sandpaper against glass: they produce high friction coefficient numbers at first, but they're mechanically incompatible with the ceramic matrix and accelerate wear exponentially.
The risk is real: Running standard iron-brake pads on carbon ceramic discs, even for a single track day, can cause visible scoring of the disc's friction surface. In severe cases, this damage is irreversible — the only fix is disc replacement. CCB-specific pad compounds are mandatory, not optional.
What makes a CCB pad different
A genuinely CCB-compatible brake pad has three distinguishing characteristics:
Carbon ceramic-specific friction compound — engineered to produce consistent friction against the SiC matrix surface without abrasive wear. The compound is less abrasive against the ceramic matrix than iron-brake alternatives — engineered to deliver consistent friction coefficient against the SiC surface without the mechanical wear that incompatible compounds cause.
Heat-resistant backing plate — standard pad backing plates transfer heat into the caliper piston, risking brake fluid boiling under track use. CCB pads use a backing plate material specifically engineered to reduce heat transfer — critical on a system designed to operate at temperatures that would destroy standard caliper seals.
Matched temperature window — CCB discs operate optimally between approximately 50–700°C. The pad's friction compound must perform within that range consistently, without the cold-bite limitations of pure race compounds or the heat fade of street compounds.
The Best Brake Pads for Carbon Ceramic Brakes — By Platform
Audi R8 & Lamborghini Huracan (Factory CCB)
The Audi R8 V10 and Lamborghini Huracan share a platform and factory brake specification — both come equipped with carbon ceramic discs as standard on their high-performance variants. The factory pad compound is adequate, but worn OE pads on these cars are frequently replaced with incorrect alternatives from non-specialist sources.
Triton's CCB pads for the R8 and Huracan are engineered specifically for the factory carbon ceramic caliper and disc specification — front and rear included in a single set, with the heat-resistant backing plate required for sustained track use.
Price: $1,385.00 per set (front and rear)Fitment: Audi R8 (with factory CCB), Lamborghini Huracan (with factory CCB)Handling time: Available to ship
Aston Martin — Classic CCM Models
Aston Martin used Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes across its V8 and V12 lineup from the mid-2000s through 2018. These older-generation systems require pads that are compatible with the CCM friction surface — distinct from more modern CCB formulations.
Triton's Aston Martin CCM pad covers the complete classic lineup with factory ceramic brakes:
Aston Martin DB9 (2013–2016)
Aston Martin DBS V12 (2007–2014)
Aston Martin Rapide (2010–2019)
Aston Martin V12 Vantage (2010–2018)
Aston Martin V12 Virage (2012–2013)
Aston Martin V12 Zagato (2012–2013)
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2006–2018)
Aston Martin Vanquish (2013–2018)
Price: $1,565.00 per set (front and rear)Handling time: 7–10 business days
Audi RS7 (C7) & Audi S8 (D4.5) — Factory CCB Variants
The C7-generation RS7 and D4.5 S8 were available with factory ceramic composite brakes (CCM option). Owners of these specific variants need CCB-compatible pads — not the standard iron-brake pads that cover the majority of RS7 and S8 models.
BMW M3, M4, M5, M8 — Factory M Carbon Ceramic (Option 2NK)
BMW M cars ordered with the M Carbon Ceramic Brake package (option code 2NK) require CCB-specific pads when the factory pads wear out. This applies to M3 G80, M4 G82, M5 F90, M5 CS (which has factory CCB as standard), and M8 F91/F92/F93 with option 2NK.
Triton manufactures CCB-compatible pads for these platforms alongside its direct replacement carbon ceramic disc range. Contact Triton to confirm the correct pad specification for your specific M car build before ordering.
Porsche PCCB Models
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) systems require pads specifically developed for the Porsche caliper and disc specification. Running standard iron-brake compounds against PCCB discs is the most common cause of premature friction layer depletion on these systems — significantly more so than normal operating wear.
For Porsche PCCB pad availability and pricing across the 992, 991, 997, and Panamera ranges, contact Triton directly with your model year and caliper specification.
Lamborghini Aventador, Urus, & Gallardo
Lamborghini's V12 and SUV lineup use large-format factory CCB systems that require specific pad compounds matched to the carbon ceramic disc. For pad availability across these models, contact Triton with your specific model and year.
What About CCB Conversion Kit Pads?
If you've purchased a Triton iron-to-carbon ceramic conversion kit — for platforms like the BMW M3/M4, BMW M5 F90, Audi RS6/RS7, Alfa Romeo Giulia QV, or Aston Martin DBX — the correct CCB-specific brake pads are included in the conversion kit as standard. You do not need to purchase pads separately when ordering a complete conversion kit.
Pads are only sold separately for direct CCB replacement scenarios — where your car already has factory carbon ceramic discs and needs replacement pads for worn-out originals.
CCB Pad Comparison: What to Avoid
Pad type | Compatible with CCB? | Risk level | Notes |
OEM iron-brake pads (standard compound) | ❌ No | High | Metallic abrasives damage CCB friction layer rapidly |
EBC Yellowstuff / Greenstuff | ❌ No | High | Designed for iron rotors — incompatible with CCB surface |
Hawk HPS / HP Plus | ❌ No | High | Semi-metallic compound not suited for carbon ceramic matrix |
Generic Amazon/eBay pads | ❌ No | Very high | No compound specification — completely unsuitable |
Triton CCB-specific pads | ✓ Yes | None | Engineered for CCB surface, heat-resistant backing plate |
OEM factory CCB pads | ✓ Yes | None | Correct but expensive and often hard to source |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use EBC or Hawk brake pads on my carbon ceramic brakes?
No. EBC and Hawk Performance pads — including their premium track compounds like Yellowstuff and HP Plus — are engineered for iron brake rotors. Their friction compounds contain abrasive elements that are incompatible with carbon ceramic surfaces. Running these pads on CCB discs will cause accelerated wear of the disc's friction layer. Always use CCB-specific pad compounds on carbon ceramic brakes.
How do I know if my car has factory carbon ceramic brakes?
The easiest check: look at the caliper colour through the wheel. Factory carbon ceramic calipers are often painted a distinctive colour — yellow for Porsche PCCB, red for many Ferrari and Lamborghini CCB systems. BMW M Carbon Ceramic calipers are gold. Aston Martin CCM calipers are typically grey or black but much larger than iron-brake equivalents. If you're unsure, contact Triton with your VIN and we'll confirm.
Do carbon ceramic pads produce less dust than iron-brake pads?
Yes — significantly less. CCB-specific pad compounds produce minimal visible brake dust compared to metallic iron-brake compounds. This is one of the most frequently noted benefits by owners who switch from OEM iron brakes to Triton's carbon ceramic conversion kits — particularly owners with expensive forged wheels where brake dust accumulation is a constant maintenance issue.
How long do CCB-specific brake pads last?
Service life for CCB pads is longer than equivalent iron-brake pads when used correctly. The CCB friction surface produces less abrasive wear on the pad material than iron, meaning pad replacement intervals are typically extended. Exact longevity depends on driving style and use intensity.
Are carbon ceramic pads included in Triton's iron-to-CCB conversion kits?
Yes — all of Triton's iron-to-carbon ceramic conversion kits include the correct CCB-specific brake pads as standard. Pads are only purchased separately for direct replacement of worn pads on cars that already have factory or previously installed carbon ceramic discs.
What is the difference between CCB pads and CCM pads?
CCB (Carbon Ceramic Brake) and CCM (Carbon Ceramic Matrix) are two terms that describe essentially the same material category — carbon fiber in a silicon carbide ceramic matrix. CCM is historically associated with Brembo and Aston Martin's terminology; CCB is more general. Both require compatible pad compounds. Triton's pad range covers both designations with the appropriate compound per vehicle platform.
The Bottom Line
The best brake pads for carbon ceramic brakes are the ones engineered specifically for the carbon ceramic surface — with the correct friction compound, heat-resistant backing plate, and matched temperature window. There is no general-purpose pad that works acceptably on CCB. Every platform has a correct option and a long list of incorrect ones.
Triton manufactures CCB-specific pads for the Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan, the complete Aston Martin classic CCM lineup, C7 RS7, D4.5 S8, and supplies the correct pad compound as standard in every iron-to-CCB conversion kit. For any platform not listed above, contact Triton directly — pad availability is broader than what's currently listed on the site.
Published by Triton Motorsports | tritonmotorsportsusa.comQuestions? Contact us at info@tritonmotorsportsusa.com or call +1-469-553-0077
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