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Asbestos is a name used to describe a number of naturally occurring non-combustible fibrous mineral compounds, mostly iron or magnesium silicates.
Because of its heat and fire resistant qualities, asbestos was used in brake shoes, muffler systems, and some gaskets for many years. Asbestos fiber or powder inhalation is now known to cause some very serious respiratory diseases, such as a lung fibrosis called 'asbestosis', and a very aggressive form of cancer called 'mesothelioma'. As a result the use of asbestos has been banned in many countries.
Manufacturers of vehicle brake components now use a range of alternative materials in the manufacturing process depending on the particular braking application. These can be various ceramic compounds, semi-metallic, low-metallic, synthetic fibers such as Kevlar, and non-asbestos organic compounds.
