1. Meritor “MA” Brand Friction Material : MA212
AN INCREASED LIFE STANDARD 20,000 LB GAWR FRICTION MATERIAL

2. Meritor OEM Production Friction Lining Qualification
Meritor OEM Production Friction Materials Are Tested Beyond FMVSS 121 Requirements.
Would an aftermarket supplier even know about these specs?
Would an aftermarket supplier who is an OEM supplier vouch that they meet these specs on their equivalent aftermarket block?
Lab Testing :
Strength
Swell and Growth
Gogan Hardness
Specific Gravity
Dynamometer Testing :
Brake Retardation
Power and Recovery
Effectiveness
Wear ( lining and drum )
Vehicle Road Testing :
Hill holding / drawbar – will your friction hold a vehicle on a hill when spring brakes are applied?
Durability
Brake balance
In-depth details & explanations of Meritor Friction testing can be found in Meritor publication SP : “Friction Material Basics & Brake Shoe Remanufacturing Procedures”

3. MA 212 vs. R 201 MA 212 has significantly higher retardation
MA 212 has less fade and is more stable
MA 212 has overall better wear but especially in lower temperatures where most of the work is done. On a weighted average basis MA 212 has 22.5% better wear
MA 212 and R201 are very similar in drum effect
MA 212 is suited to a wider range of applications
All Meritor OEM Approved Production friction materials have an extended oven curing specification that reduces swell and growth – this specification is not used in competitor aftermarket materials
All Meritor OEM Approved Production friction materials have been tested to meet FMVSS 121 requirements when used with Lightweight Brake Drums

4. Comparison Chart

5. Meritor TP 212A Drum Brake Temperature vs
Meritor TP 212A Drum Brake Temperature vs. Wear Dynamometer Test Procedure
Wear in Inches
TEMP. MA 212 R 201
250 F %
350 F %
450 F %
550 F %
Wtd. AVG
On a Weighted Average Basis MA 212 has % better wear than R201.

6. MA 212 vs. R201
MA 212 is quieter, even on front steer axles where noise is common
MA 212 is Meritor’s Standard 20K Production OEM friction material
MA 212 is cost competitive across a wide range of FMSI applications
R201 is available from Meritor aftermarket only for limited FMSI applications.
R201 is no longer available for Meritor OEM Production Brake applications.