How Titanium Brake Pad Shims Work and Why Your Track Car Needs Them
If you are chasing more consistent brakes on track days, spirited mountain runs, or extended high-speed driving in Australian conditions, titanium brake pad shims are one of the most effective and affordable upgrades you can make to your brake system. They do not add stopping power — they protect the components that deliver it. This guide explains what they are, how they work, where they help, and where they do not, backed by published test data, so you can decide if they belong on your car.
What Are Titanium Brake Pad Shims?
Titanium brake pad shims are thin plates — typically around 0.5mm thick — that sit between the brake pad backing plate and the caliper piston. Their purpose is to act as a thermal barrier, slowing the rate at which heat transfers from the brake pad through the piston and into the caliper body, seals, and brake fluid.
They are manufactured from Grade 5 titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), an aerospace-grade material with a thermal conductivity of approximately 6.7 to 7.5 W/m·K. For comparison, standard steel sits at around 20 W/m·K and aluminium at roughly 205 W/m·K. This means titanium conducts heat approximately three times slower than steel and over 30 times slower than aluminium — making it an ideal material for a heat shield in a brake system.
The Data — How Much Difference Do They Make?
Published laboratory testing by EBC Brakes Racing showed that perforated titanium shims reduced heat transfer through the pad to the caliper by approximately 50°F (approximately 32°C) at the pad and caliper interface. Their testing compared plain (non-perforated) titanium shims against perforated shims, and found that perforated designs — which reduce the surface contact area between the shim and the pad backing plate — were significantly more effective at limiting conductive heat transfer.
Separate controlled testing has shown caliper-side temperature reductions of up to 79°C with titanium shims installed, with the caliper-side temperature dropping from 286°C to 207°C under repeated heavy braking cycles. While the exact reduction depends on pad compound, rotor mass, caliper design, and ambient conditions, the principle is consistent across all applications: titanium shims meaningfully reduce the rate at which heat reaches the caliper internals.
This matters for two critical reasons.
Caliper seal protection. Most caliper piston seals begin to degrade at sustained temperatures above 200°C. Once seals are compromised, you lose piston retraction, develop fluid leaks, and face a caliper rebuild. EBC's own published guidance recommends resealing any calipers where heat strips show temperatures have exceeded this threshold. By keeping caliper temperatures below the damage zone, titanium shims extend seal life and reduce the frequency of expensive caliper rebuilds.
Brake fluid protection. Even high-quality DOT 4 brake fluids have a dry boiling point of approximately 312 to 328°C and a wet boiling point (after moisture absorption) of approximately 195 to 206°C. When brake fluid boils, it creates gas bubbles in the lines that compress under pedal pressure — this is vapour lock, and it results in a soft or spongy pedal that can feel like complete brake loss. By slowing heat transfer into the caliper, titanium shims help keep fluid temperatures below the boiling threshold for longer, maintaining a firm pedal throughout extended driving sessions.
Titanium Heat Shims vs Anti-Squeal Shims — They Are Not the Same Thing
This is one of the most common points of confusion. Titanium heat shims and anti-squeal shims solve completely different problems, and understanding the difference is important when choosing the right product for your car.
Titanium heat shims are thermal barriers. Their job is to slow heat transfer from the pad into the caliper to protect seals, fluid, and piston components. They are made from solid or perforated Grade 5 titanium and are designed for track, motorsport, and high-heat driving conditions. They do not address brake noise.
Anti-squeal shims are vibration dampeners. Their job is to absorb the high-frequency oscillation between the pad backing plate and the caliper piston that causes audible brake squeal. They are typically made from a layered construction — for example, DIXCEL anti-squeal shims use a three-layer structure with a stainless steel core sandwiched between vibration-absorbing resin layers. These are designed for street use where noise is the primary concern. DIXCEL's street-compound brake pads — including the DIXCEL M Type — come with anti-squeal shims already included in the box.
If you are tracking your car and experiencing pedal fade, fluid boil, or rapid seal degradation, you need titanium heat shims. If you are driving on the street and hearing brake squeal, you need anti-squeal shims (or a pad compound change). Some drivers running track and street use both — titanium shims for heat management and a street-compound pad with integrated anti-squeal shims like the DIXCEL M Type for noise-free daily driving.
When You Need Titanium Heat Shims
Titanium shims deliver the most benefit in situations where brake temperatures are consistently high and sustained over time. The most common use cases in Australia include track days and motorsport — any session involving repeated heavy braking from speed, particularly on circuits with long straights followed by heavy braking zones. Cars running on high-grip semi-slick or slick tyres generate significantly more brake energy than those on street tyres, making heat management even more critical.
Heavy performance cars on high-grip tyres are particularly susceptible. The BMW G8X M3 and M4, Nissan GT-R R35, and Honda Civic Type R all weigh between 1,600 and 1,900kg and produce enormous brake energy under hard driving. Factory calipers on these platforms often operate near their thermal limits on track, making titanium shims a worthwhile investment.
Long mountain descents in hot Australian summers are another common scenario. Extended downhill braking on roads like the Great Ocean Road, Putty Road, or the Old Pacific Highway can generate sustained heat that stock cooling struggles to manage — especially if the car is loaded or the ambient temperature is above 35°C.
Cars with limited brake cooling airflow or factory calipers operating near their design limits also benefit. If you have ever experienced a soft pedal at the end of a track session or noticed discolouration on your calipers after heavy use, titanium shims should be on your list.
When You Do Not Need Them
If your car is a pure street daily driver and you never experience brake fade, pedal softness, or fluid boil, titanium heat shims are unlikely to deliver a noticeable benefit. In this case, your money is better spent on fresh brake fluid every 12 months, proper pad bedding-in, and selecting the correct pad compound for your driving style — such as the DIXCEL range, which offers compounds from low-dust street pads through to full circuit compounds.
It is also important to understand what titanium shims do not do. They do not reduce total heat — they only slow the rate at which heat reaches the caliper. If your pads are overheating and losing friction (pad fade), the solution is a higher-temperature pad compound, not a shim. They are also not a substitute for proper brake cooling ducts on a serious track car — shims and ducts work together as complementary solutions.
Installation and Compatibility
Titanium heat shims install between the pad backing plate and the caliper piston. They must sit flat against the backing plate with full contact — any gaps or misalignment will reduce effectiveness and can cause uneven piston pressure on the pad. Most titanium shims are laser-cut to match specific pad shapes and are reusable across multiple pad changes if they remain flat and undamaged.
If your current pads came with OEM rubberised anti-squeal shims, these must be removed before fitting titanium heat shims. Do not stack shims — the combined thickness can cause pad drag or prevent proper caliper clearance. Remove the old shims, lightly sand any adhesive residue from the pad backing plate, and fit the titanium shims directly against the clean metal surface.
What We Stock
At Chicane Australia, we carry titanium heat shims from Paragon and Elig for a range of popular performance platforms.
Paragon Titanium Heat Shims — manufactured from Grade 5 titanium (6AL-4V / ASTM B348), 0.5mm thick, laser-cut to match specific caliper and pad configurations. Available for BMW M240i / M340i / M440i, Hyundai N models (Veloster N, i30 N, Elantra N, Kona N), Nissan GT-R R35 and Alcon CAR70 RC6 calipers, and Paragon PA055 / PA025 / AP Racing CP3215D50 calipers.
DIXCEL Anti-Squeal Shims — if your issue is brake noise rather than heat, DIXCEL's three-layer anti-squeal shims are available for Subaru STI, Mitsubishi Evo, Honda Civic Type R, and Renault Megane RS platforms (front), and for Subaru WRX, BRZ, and Toyota 86/GR86 (rear).
Not sure whether you need heat shims, anti-squeal shims, or a pad compound change? Contact us — we can help you work out the right combination for your car and how you drive it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do titanium shims reduce brake squeal?
No. Titanium heat shims are designed to slow heat transfer into the caliper — they do not address noise. Brake squeal is caused by high-frequency vibration between the pad and caliper, which requires anti-squeal shims or a different pad compound. DIXCEL M Type pads come with integrated anti-squeal shims for quiet street operation.
Can I use titanium heat shims with any brake pad?
Yes — titanium heat shims benefit any semi-metallic or sintered pad compound. They are particularly effective with aggressive track pads that generate high heat. Make sure the shim is the correct shape for your caliper and pad, and always remove any existing OEM rubberised shims before fitting.
How much do titanium shims reduce caliper temperature?
Published testing shows reductions of approximately 32°C (90°F) at the pad and caliper interface, with some tests showing up to 79°C reduction under sustained heavy braking. The exact benefit depends on pad compound, rotor mass, caliper design, driving intensity, and ambient temperature.
Are titanium shims reusable?
Yes. Titanium shims are reusable across multiple pad changes provided they remain flat and undamaged. Grade 5 titanium is extremely durable and corrosion-resistant — they will typically outlast several sets of pads.
Do I need titanium shims if I only drive on the street?
For most street-only drivers, titanium shims are unnecessary. Your money is better spent on fresh brake fluid, proper pad bedding, and the correct pad compound for your driving style. If you occasionally do spirited mountain drives or track days, they become a worthwhile addition — particularly on heavier performance cars.
What is the difference between Paragon and Elig titanium shims?
Both use Grade 5 titanium (6AL-4V) and perform the same function. The difference is fitment — Paragon shims are cut to suit specific Paragon, Brembo, Alcon, and AP Racing caliper configurations, while Elig shims are designed for the Toyota GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and Lexus LBX Morizo RR. Choose based on your caliper and vehicle fitment.
