• Friction Products

  • Friction Products

Friction Particles

For safer, longer-lasting brakes

Cardolite is a global leader in cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) friction particles, with over 40 years of experience serving the automotive brake industry. Friction particles are used in disc pads and drum linings as stabilizers that cushion impact, control wear, reduce noise, and enhance durability.

Cardolite offers a broad portfolio of brown, black, and specialty grades to meet a wide range of performance needs:

    • Brown particles – trusted choice for standard duty disc pads and drum linings.
    • Black particles – higher heat resistance and hardness for premium disc and clutch applications.
    • Specialty particles –  specific performance modifications such as  improved wear resistance, superior performance at >400°C, added hardness, light color, or excellent anti-corrosion properties.

Available in multiple chemistries, mesh sizes, and particle distributions, Cardolite friction particles give brake manufacturers the flexibility to design reliable, high-performance braking systems across metallic, semi-metallic, asbestos, and non-asbestos formulations.

Link to: Friction Materials & Rubber
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Brown Friction Grades

ProductAcetone Extract (%)ASH (%)Volatile Loss @ 370°C, %Size (mesh)Applications/CommentsDocuments
NX-2004-20≤ 4≤ 3≤ 3520Standard brown particle for all normal duty disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-2020-30≤ 4≤ 3≤ 3530Standard brown particle for all normal duty disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-1820≤ 6≤ 3≤ 3530Standard brown particle for all normal duty disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NC-104-40≤ 8≤ 3≤ 3540Standard brown particle for all normal duty disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-2004-40≤ 5≤ 3≤ 3540Standard brown particle for all normal duty disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-5207≤ 6≤ 3≤ 35100Fine brown particle with improved heat resistance for disc pad, drum lining and clutch applications.TDS/MSDS

Black Friction Grades

ProductAcetone Extract (%)ASH (%)Volatile Loss @ 370°C, %Size (MESH)Applications/CommentsDocuments
NC-108≤ 10≤ 3≤ 3030Black particle with medium to higher heat resistance and improved hardness for disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-5319≤ 73 - 7≤ 3040Black particle with medium to higher heat resistance and improved hardness for disc pad and drum lining applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-5208≤ 10≤ 3≤ 30100Fine black particle with improved heat resistance for disc pad, drum lining and clutch applications.TDS/MSDS

Specialty Friction Grades

ProductAcetone Extract (%)ASH (%)Volatile Loss @ 370°C, %Size (mesh)Applications/CommentsDocuments
NX-1034≤ 4≤ 1.5≤ 3040Unique, high purity, yellow particle providing excellent wear reduction.TDS/MSDS
NX-1035≤ 57 - 10≤ 2560Inorganic modified brown particle providing superior heat resistance at elevated (>400°C) temperatures.TDS/MSDS
NX-1045≤ 53 - 6≤ 2560Inorganic modified brown particle providing superior heat resistance at elevated (>400°C) temperatures.TDS/MSDS
NX-5311≤ 4≤ 10≤ 3060Neutral pH black particle providing excellent anti-corrosion properties.TDS/MSDS
NX-5319-2≤ 2≤ 2≤ 3040High furfural black particle providing increased pad hardness.TDS/MSDS
NX-15001 - 3.4≤ 5≤ 2560Higher heat resistant black particle for high-end disc pad and clutch applications.TDS/MSDS

Friction Resins

For durable, high-performance brakes

Used to bind brake linings, pads, blocks, and belts together, Cardolite’s CNSL-based resins are a trusted choice for manufacturers in the transportation and brake industries.

CNSL-based resins offer balanced performance advantages, including:

  • Impact resistance for improved durability under high-stress conditions
  • Flexibility to maintain integrity and reduce brittleness
  • Thermal stability for consistent performance under high temperatures

Formulators can tailor properties to specific application needs using Cardolite binder resins, which come in a variety of viscosities, solvent-free and specialty solids, and chemical modifications.

Typical applications include:

  • Friction products, such as brake linings, pads, and heavy-duty blocks
  • Rail blocks, where strength and thermal resistance are critical
  • Brake belts, as a renewable replacement for tung oil
  • Tire bead fillers, improving adhesion and resilience in rubber systems

Solvent-Based Binder Resins

Product (%)SolidsViscosity @ 25˚C (cPs)Gel Time, @ 82˚C (min)Typical lbs/gal (kg/L)SolventApplications/CommentsDocuments
NC-3268013,500-23,50012 - 247.95 (0.96)Aliphatic SolventA blend of high and low molecular weight providing high strength.TDS/MSDS
NC-370E8080800-2,00010 - 258.25 (0.99)Ethanol BlendEthanol blend providing very low processing viscosity.TDS/MSDS
NC-342X8012,000-20,0008 - 207.58 (0.91)Aliphatic Solvent BlendElastomer modified binder resin providing very good flexibility and high temperature resistance.TDS/MSDS

Solvent-Free Binder Resins

Product (%)SolidsViscosity @ 25˚C (cPs)Gel Time, @ 82˚C (min)Typical lbs/gal (kg/L)Applications/CommentsDocuments
NX-5341> 9740,000 - 51,00035 - 55N/ASolvent free cashew resin with high cardol content. Used as a liquid reactive softener or tackifier to improve physical strength.TDS/MSDS
NC-370> 9825,000 - 80,000 at 50˚C20 - 458.3 (1.00)High viscosity, solvent free cashew resin providing high temperature resistance.TDS/MSDS
NX-2056> 9990,000 - 130,00030 - 50N/AHigh viscosity, solvent free cashew resin providing high temperature resistance.TDS/MSDS
NC-371> 9915,000 - 40,00025 - 35N/AMedium viscosity, solvent free cashew resin providing superior strength in heavy duty applications.TDS/MSDS
NX-4778> 9840,000 - 51,00040 - 55N/ASolvent free cashew resin with good processing viscosity for all friction material applications providing high strength and temperature resistance.TDS/MSDS
NX-6026≥ 981,000 - 2,000N/AN/AVery low viscosity, solvent free cashew resin. Very good wetting properties and excellent for wet mix processing.TDS/MSDS

Friction Intermediate Binders

ProductSolid (%)Viscosity (cPs)Specific Gravity @ 25˚CApplications/CommentsDocuments
NC-603100≤ 6000.943 - 0.968Cashew nutshell liquidTDS/MSDS
NC-70010045 - 750.925 - 0.945Minimum 87% cardanol for phenolic resin synthesis and modification, or areas where a unique modified phenolic is desired.TDS/MSDS
NX-534599450 - 3,000N/AA multi-purpose CNSL modified resin for applications in modified phenolic resins, rubber products, laminated materials, and friction materials.TDS/MSDS
NX-4670100≤ 12,0001An alkylated phenol mixture of ~40% cardanol, ~20% cardol, and ~40% polymeric cardanol. Used as an intermediate or modifier.TDS/MSDS

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