Confused by the multiple options of clutch plate designs and what is best for your application? Let us break down the difference between two friction materials and 3 most common plate designs.
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Organic
An organic clutch is a sprung centre, cushioned disc made from a blend of fibres, resins, rubber, and metallic particles. It is the most common standard for everyday passenger vehicles, prioritized for its smooth, comfortable engagement and quiet operation in stop-and-go traffic.
It is best for driveability, however it has a lower friction coefficient making it susceptible to slipping under high heat loads.
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Ceramic
A ceramic clutch features friction discs lined with hard, heat-resistant ceramic or metallic materials rather than traditional organic compounds.
It’s higher friction coefficient rating makes it more excel in high heat and high torque applications.
Ceramic clutches come in two main styles:
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Cushioned
A cushioned ceramic clutch bridges the gap between track-ready heat tolerance and daily drivability. By riveting a ceramic friction facing to a flexible, curved "marcel" segment, it allows progressive pedal engagement. This design eliminates the harsh, "on-or-off" jerky grab typical of rigid racing clutches.
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Button
A sprung button ceramic clutch is a high-performance plate designed for track, motorsport, or heavily modified street vehicles. It uses a segmented, button-style friction disc made of highly heat-resistant ceramic, combined with a central sprung hub.
Removing the marcel spring used in the cushioned plates gives the button clutch an almost instant engagement (commonly known as an on/off engagement point) making it more suitable for track and motorsport use and less for street driving.
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