FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. – Global brake pad and brake lining manufacturer FRAS-LE has announced it will introduce FRAS-LE Hybrid Technology (FHT) in the North-American market in early 2010. The new Hybrid material is environmentally friendly and meets California’s 2032 legislation today – 22 years early.

California’s new legislation limits the use of some raw materials in brake pad formulations, especially copper. Developed in FRAS-LE’s labs, the Hybrid material does not contain copper, antimony, potassium titanate, mercury, lead, chromium, asbestos, cadmium or nickel. By 2021, copper may not exceed 5 percent of brake pads composition and 0.5 percent by 2032.

As stated by Gilberto Crosa, FRAS-LE’s technology and industrial director, “Already offering an alternative material proves FRAS-LE’s dedication to environmental protection as well as innovation in brake technology.”

The Hybrid Project emerged from FRAS-LE’s firm environmental preservation policies. FRAS-LE chose to act ahead of its own legislation and to continue on its course of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

The Hybrid friction material is a completely new concept of friction formulation. FRAS-LE’s research and development team was challenged to present a solution that performs as a semi-met with the “kindness” of a non-asbestos organic (NAO). The result is remarkable, says FRAS-LE. Unlike a low-met, this hybrid demonstrates superior noise and vibration harshness (NVH) performance and wear characteristics.

The Hybrid project, which required 12 months to develop, is the result of joint efforts between FRAS-LE’s Alabama manufacturing facility and its plant in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. In the final phase of testing, the material is already commercially available to be used in front and rear brake pads of passenger cars, SUV's and light pick-up trucks.

Initially, the Hybrid Friction Material, manufactured only in the FRAS-LE’s American plant, will be offered in three versions (FHT-1: medium/ high friction; FHT-2: medium friction, and FHT-3: medium/ low friction) and only for OEM companies in the U.S.

FHT is applicable on programs requiring semi-met, low-met or NAO style linings. It is adaptable with multiple platform requirements, which is another of its strong features. It is also ideal for global applications, where requirements are wide ranging. Common North American and European brake systems can now share the same lining, simplifying industrial stocking and production.

Additional information about FHT can be found at http://www.fras-le.com/hybrid.