Brake fade occurs when brakes become less effective with prolonged use due to excessive heat buildup. Braking at high speeds generates higher temperatures that can cause drum temperatures to rise as high as 250°C, changing the friction properties of brake linings and pads temporarily. This leads to faster wear and wheel skid as a hard brake lining fades sooner without quick heat dissipation from the brake drum material.

1. Brake Fade

2. Brake Fade
• With prolonged application of brakes, their effectiveness
decreases. This is called fading of brakes.
• Higher vehicle speeds give rise to excessive temperatures during
braking.
• Drum temperatures may rise as high as 250'C during braking.
• Such a high temperature results in fast wear of the linings and
brake fade, i.e. heat temporarily changes the friction properties
of the brake linings and brake pads.
• A 'hard' brake lining fades sooner and this leads to 'wheel skid'.
• The brake drum must be of such a material that it may quickly
dissipate the heat developed during braking.