Reinforced brake pads?

[RSstuff]

I've read about high performance brake pads having brass reinforcing pins embedded into the friction material. And apparently it's not an issue for these brass pins to come into contact with and score the discs. How long has this been the norm?

[Dr G]

First car I read about this in reference to was B7 RS4, but as for when the practice first began I've no idea!

[Panamax]

Brass isn't a problem because a lot of brake pads contain brass in any event. Back in the day brake linings were made from asbestos and stuff like that - which, for obvious reasons, became rather unfashionable. Most modern brake pads are made from a semi-metallic formulation. Quite why brass pins should be thought necessary I have no idea because bonded pads have been around for decades.

[RSstuff]

Brass is fairly soft but it still seems cause scoring. How long do the big VAG discs typically last?

[Maxdecel]

Presume this is the method you're referring to ?

I've not seen this particular Material retension system but earlier versions using hooks formed from the backplate or mushroom shaped fixings usually on competition pads. This would be around the mid 90's.