Friction materials,
engineered from
one source

Brake and motion-control components developed, manufactured and inspected in-house, as one accountable partner to your engineering and R&D teams.

Friction Technology is a single-source manufacturer of friction materials and complete brake components, operating as an extension of your engineering and R&D teams, from early-stage development through production and lifecycle support.

Every stage is managed in-house in Caernarfon, North Wales. Part of n Industries Group.

Trusted by engineering teams at

Three reasons engineering teams come to Friction Technology

Start with the situation you need to solve. FTL can support the project from its current stage through manufacture and ongoing supply.

Freshly pressed friction material blocks, before machining

Launch new programme or product support

From early requirements and material selection through prototype manufacture, testing, validation support and controlled serial production.

Explore New Programme Support →

Sintered friction rings remanufactured to replace obsolete legacy parts

Replace a legacy or obsolete component

Reverse engineer a friction material or complete component when the original drawing, material or supplier is no longer available.

Explore Reverse Engineering →

CMM probe measuring a friction plate on the inspection table

Improve an underperforming system

Investigate inconsistent braking, excessive wear or thermal problems and assess whether material, design or operating conditions need to change.

Explore Performance Optimisation →

A trusted, accountable supplier since 2003

High-performance friction and braking solutions, backed by decades of in-house expertise and supplied to OEM and aftermarket customers worldwide.

2003

Established

Friction formulations

Of output exported

North Wales

Manufactured in

Worldwide

Components supplied

2003Founded, Birmingham

2009ISO 9001 certified

2016Caernarfon manufacturing

201840+ countries supplied

2020Facility extension

2024EN9100 aerospace

2026100+ formulations

One accountable supplier.
Fewer handovers.
Clearer technical control.

A fragmented supply route can separate the friction material producer, machinist, bonder, finisher and inspector across several organisations. Friction Technology brings these stages into one integrated manufacturing flow, giving your team a single technical and commercial point of accountability from the initial brief to the finished component.

The traditional route

Materials

Machining

Friction

Bonding

Finishing

Inspection

Delivery

Multiple suppliersLong lead timesDiffused accountability High procurement adminMultiple purchase ordersComplex logistics

A fragmented supply chain introduces inefficiencies, delays and complexity.

The traditional route The FTL route one integrated chain

Materials

Machining

Friction

Bonding

Finishing

Inspection

Delivery

What an integrated chain gives your team Consistent product quality Shorter lead times Clear accountability Full traceability Reduced admin workload Fewer POs, simpler logistics

Multiple suppliers Long lead times Diffused accountability High procurement admin Multiple purchase orders Complex logistics

A fragmented supply chain introduces inefficiencies, delays and complexity.

See the Single-Source Model → View Quality & Certifications

What FTL can deliver within the same manufacturing chain

The required route depends on the application. FTL can support one stage or manage the connected process from friction material development through finished, inspected components.

Gear-cut Kevlar and organic friction discs, the material families in one frame

Friction material selection and formulation

Select, develop or optimise organic, composite, sintered, Kevlar and woven materials around the operating environment and performance requirements.

Explore Custom Friction Materials →

Dimensioned front and side engineering drawing of a wheel brake

Engineering and component development

Support for new designs, existing components and legacy-part redevelopment using the available brief, drawings, specifications or component information.

Explore Engineering & Design →

Stacked machined steel backing plates with countersunk bores

Precision component manufacture

CNC machining of friction and metallic components, then controlled bonding, surface preparation, finishing and assembly where required.

CNC Machining & Bonding →

Testing, inspection and production evidence

CMM dimensional inspection, dynamic and material testing, shear testing, in-process checks, final inspection and production documentation.

Testing & Inspection →

Finished sintered friction rings stacked as production stock

Serial and lifecycle supply

Secure finished-goods storage, scheduled call-off, customer-specific packaging and labelling, export documentation and international shipping.

Explore Materials & Components → View All Capabilities

From application brief to serial supply

A drawing is useful, but it is not the only way to begin. The first conversation can start with the application and what the friction system needs to achieve.

Define the application

Temperature
Load
Speed
Contamination
Installation space
Drawings / specs
Known problems

Establish the material route

Assess an established formulation, or develop and optimise where needed
No outcome promised before technical and validation review

Develop and manufacture

Machining, bonding, finishing, assembly and inspection stages

Test and support validation

Dimensional, material, dynamic or shear testing in scope
Evidence and engineering support for the customer's approval process

Controlled repeat supply

Repeat manufacture, inventory, call-off, packaging, international delivery

Discuss Your Application → Explore New Programme Support

Engineering support for regulated and demanding sectors

FTL supports applications where friction performance, manufacturing repeatability, traceability and continuity of supply matter.

Aerospace

New programmes, actuation and landing-gear applications, braking assemblies and obsolete-component continuity.

Aerospace →

Defence

Engineering and controlled manufacture with traceability, QMS, JOSCAR registration and Cyber Essentials.

Defence →

Wind energy

Friction materials and components for yaw and related braking applications.

Wind Energy →

Industrial equipment

Custom components for cranes, motors, safety equipment and industrial braking or motion-control systems.

Industrial Equipment →

View All Industries → Start the Technical Conversation

Custom friction materials and complete components

Friction material selection depends on the complete application, not a material name in isolation. FTL considers the operating environment, required behaviour and component design before recommending an established formulation or a development route.

Published data is a starting point. Final selection is based on the application and agreed technical requirements.

Engineering capability backed by controlled manufacture

Before approving a new friction solution, buyers need evidence that the supplier can support the engineering work, manufacture consistently and help establish a validation route.

Quality systems and traceability

ISO 9001AS9100 / EN9100ISO 14001 ISO 45001JOSCARCyber Essentials

In-process checks, dimensional inspection, testing, batch records and final inspection documentation within scope.

View Quality & Certifications →

Obsolete aircraft brake-pad replacement. SDTS approached FTL after the original aircraft brake pad was no longer available. FTL redesigned the pad to meet the stated aeronautical requirements, supporting the route to a certifiable aircraft modification.

“The quality of the manufactured product is remarkable. Thanks to FTL, we can continue to fly, land, and brake safely.”

Olivier Moulin SDTS

Read the SDTS Case Study →

Frequently asked questions about custom friction manufacturing

What does a custom friction material manufacturer do?

It develops or selects a material around a specific braking, holding or motion-control requirement and turns it into a repeatable component. FTL can manage formulation, machining, bonding, finishing, testing, inspection and serial supply through one integrated chain.

Can FTL match or improve the performance of an existing friction material?

FTL reviews the application, current component and required performance, then assesses whether an existing formulation, an optimised material or a wider component change is appropriate. The result depends on operating conditions, evidence and the agreed validation process. FTL will not promise an outcome before the technical review.

Can FTL reverse engineer an obsolete component without the original drawing?

Yes. FTL supports projects where the original drawing, material or supplier is no longer available. The available component, application information, specifications and required performance are reviewed before a redevelopment, testing and revalidation route is proposed.

What friction material types does FTL work with?

Organic, composite, sintered, Kevlar and woven friction materials. The route depends on load, speed, temperature, contamination, mating surfaces and required system behaviour.

Does FTL supply complete components or only friction material?

Both. FTL can support friction material development and manufacture complete brake and motion-control components, including machining, bonding, finishing, assembly, inspection and supply.

What information should I provide with an enquiry?

The application, whether it is a new design or an existing component, the operating environment, any drawings or specifications, and known performance requirements or problems. You may upload a drawing, but it is not mandatory for the first conversation. Volumes can be discussed once technical fit is established.

Where does FTL supply?

FTL ships manufactured components worldwide; 84% of output is exported. Support can include scheduled call-off, customer-specific packaging and labelling, export documentation and international shipping.

Bring us the application, drawing or performance problem.

Tell Friction Technology what the component or friction system needs to do. A short initial brief is enough to start. The right technical and commercial people then join the conversation to understand the operating conditions, available information and required next step.

Start the Technical Conversation → Call +44 (0)1286 875 197 Email FTL →

Optional drawing or specification upload. No long technical questionnaire at this stage.

Friction materials,engineered fromone source