Meritor MG vs Silverback Friction
Evaluation
March 2012
Silverback HD
Silverback HD web site: www.silverbackhd.com
- Canadian flag does not mean the product is made in
Canada
- Silverback brand is trademarked by a company called
Chinada Holdings, Inc. in Chicago, IL
- Chinada Holdings, Inc. owners are Doug Kelvin and
Barry Schwartz who also own Chinada Industries, Inc in
Mississauga, Ontario
- Chinada imports heavy duty truck components that are
manufactured in China – not Canada
- The manufacturing source of Silverback products is
unknown, not disclosed on the Silverback web site
Meritor MG vs Silverback Friction Evaluation
The attached competitor comparison information was
provided by Fras-Le North America.
- Silverback testing was conducted at Greening Labs
Meritor, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Fras-Le brake
block and lining in North America.
Meritor MG vs Silverback Friction Evaluation
Correct Friction Material Comparisons
- Silverback’s comparisons to Meritor “MA” OEM
production friction materials are false.
- Silverback friction is Chinese-made aftermarket-only, not
used in North American OEM brake production.
Correct material comparisons are shown below:
MERITOR "MG" FRICTION PRODUCTS
Competitive Mix Comparisons
This chart does not imply that the competitive material shown is equivalent to Meritor Genuine. Aftermarket materials may differ slightly in axle rating or AL factor
from the Meritor OE mixes or other mixes shown, but are in the most similar category for comparison purposes only.
Category
Description
GAWR Rating
AL Factor
Meritor "MG"
Friction
Competitors
Silverback
Better
Economy
20k
165 AL
Best
Standard
21K
180 AL
Good
Economy
23k
165 AL
Better
Standard
23k
180 AL
Best
Premium
23k
180 AL
Special App.
Metallic
25K
180 AL
Special App.
Combination
23 - 26k
180 AL
EG
MG1
EG2
MG2L
MG2
MET
CG
SB20
---
SB23
SB23HTP
---
---
---
Meritor MG vs Silverback Friction Evaluation
The following brake lining and brake drum wear comparisons were
provided by Fras-Le North America based on the following test
criteria.
- Wear vs. Temperature test TP212A
- Meritor 16.5” x 7” Q Plus brakes
- Meritor cast drum
- AL factor 165
- 20K Axle load
- Wear testing is conducted at 250, 350, 450, 550 and 650 degrees F,
from 40mph to 20mph constant decel rate of 3 ft/s2.
- Data points are the average of 1,000 brake snubs at each
temperature.
Meritor MG vs Silverback Wear Comparison
Lining Loss (cc)
EG vs SB20 Lining Wear
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
250
350
450
Degrees F
EG
SB20
550
650
Meritor MG vs Silverback Wear Comparison
EG vs SB20 Brake Drum Wear
Drum Loss (grams)
250
200
150
100
50
0
250
350
450
Degrees F
EG
SB20
550
650
Meritor MG vs Silverback Wear Comparison
Lining Loss (cc)
EG2 vs SB23 Lining Wear
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
250
350
450
Degrees F
EG2
SB23
550
650
Meritor MG vs Silverback Wear Comparison
Drum Loss (grams)
EG2 vs SB23 Brake Drum Wear
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
250
350
450
Degrees F
EG2
SB23
550
650
Meritor MG vs Silverback Friction Evaluation
Overall, Silverback friction wears twice as fast as Meritor
MG comparable mixes
Silverback wear gets noticeably worse at higher temps.
- Between 550 and 650 degrees, Silverback SB23 causes
almost 1.25 pounds of drum loss (310 plus 246 grams).
SB23 lining wear looks good with only 4cc’s loss at 250
degrees, however it also causes 81 grams of drum loss at
250 degrees. That may indicate swelling of the block that
could be causing other brake issues such as drag.
IMPORTANT!
Fleets will DOUBLE their number of relines using Silverback!
Meritor MG Silverback Friction Evaluation
Ceramic fibers are used for producing fireproof fabrics and building
materials because of a higher level of heat insulation v other manmade fibers.
Ceramic fibers are also used in premium automotive brake disc pads,
especially for racing, where extreme brake temperatures are reached.
However, as indicated by the wear comparisons, ceramic fibers add
nothing to Silverback’s performance, especially at the higher
temperatures.
Most commercial brake block utilizes a form of chopped fiberglass.
- Chopped fiberglass is a U.S.A. safety requirement because the
fibers are small and can be breathed out or absorbed by the body.
- If man-made fibers are too long, they can be trapped in the lungs
and cause health problems.
Do the ceramic fibers used in Chinese brake block meet U.S. safety
requirements? Does Silverback provide MSDS safety sheets?
IMPORTANT!
Ceramic fibers do not offer an improvement vs. other man-made fibers &
may be a safety hazard.
Meritor MG Aftermarket Friction
Man-made fiber is only one ingredient in a friction material formulation.
Other ingredients include:
- Friction “modifiers” (rubber, metals, nut shells, denim, etc.). Modifiers
effect co-efficient of friction and wear.
- Resins. Resins are the “glue” that holds the dry brake block
ingredients together. Resins are available in various formulations to
withstand a variety of temperature levels.
- Resins, more than any ingredient, determine the heat-resistance of
brake block.
Fibers, in brake block, act as the binder to hold the other ingredients
together with the resin.
Friction material formulations are designed to meet the specific
performance and life needs for the variety of commercial vehicle
applications.
Meritor MG Friction
Meritor MG uses market-proven quality ingredients to
achieve the highest level of vehicle braking performance
and life.
Meritor MG has produced commercial vehicle friction
materials, for the North American market, for almost 30
years.
Meritor, Inc. is the largest worldwide manufacturer of
commercial vehicle braking systems.
Meritor is the exclusive distributor of Meritor MG
aftemarket friction in North America.
IMPORTANT!
Friction materials produced and supplied by the market leaders in
commercial vehicle braking or from an unknown, unproven source.
Which product do you want to rely on to stop your
80,000lb. vehicle?