The Story
History
Since founded in 1986, DeFigo-Royal Tungsten Carbide Company has mastered sintering technology for making durable, extreme-service products. Starting with making tungsten-carbide tooling in 1986, Royal tungsten carbide has made significantly leaps for the tungsten carbide industry in South Korea. Predicting the future of sintering technology, Nano-Metallic brake friction material division was founded in 2006. The friction material was destined to be used for high-speed train brake lining. The prototype brake pads, tested in 2007, showed augmented braking performance, with high durability.
Intensive research and development succeeded in making the first commercial brake pad in 2008. It was made possible by partnering with nano-material science PhD Researchers from Postech- the world-renown engineering institution. The advanced metallurgy engineering with 40 years of experience in powder metallurgy has made development of the brake pad possible.
Since launched in 2008, DeFigo has been successful among Korean automotive enthusiast circle. DeFigo brake pads greatly improved the braking performance of the braking system of passenger automobiles-- for both street and track purpose.
Since founded in 1986, DeFigo-Royal Tungsten Carbide Company has mastered sintering technology for making durable, extreme-service products. Starting with making tungsten-carbide tooling in 1986, Royal tungsten carbide has made significantly leaps for the tungsten carbide industry in South Korea. Predicting the future of sintering technology, Nano-Metallic brake friction material division was founded in 2006. The friction material was destined to be used for high-speed train brake lining. The prototype brake pads, tested in 2007, showed augmented braking performance, with high durability.
Intensive research and development succeeded in making the first commercial brake pad in 2008. It was made possible by partnering with nano-material science PhD Researchers from Postech- the world-renown engineering institution. The advanced metallurgy engineering with 40 years of experience in powder metallurgy has made development of the brake pad possible.
Since launched in 2008, DeFigo has been successful among Korean automotive enthusiast circle. DeFigo brake pads greatly improved the braking performance of the braking system of passenger automobiles-- for both street and track purpose.
Its beginning: Railcar Friction System
DeFigo, the friction material division, was founded to develop freight train and high-speed passenger train brake friction material. The successfully developed friction material utilizing Nano-metallic compounds for train cars was tested. During the testing phase it was revealed that trains hardly reach the limits of the developed friction material in repetitive, normal operation. Even when pushed beyond the designed limit, the friction material remained stable and returned consistent performance.
The idea came to us; what would it be like to apply the friction material designed to literally "stop a freight train” on everyday vehicles that often have challenged brake performance? -- Such as motorcycles, passenger cars-- and race cars?
The company's owner, DM Jung, started testing the Nano-metal sintered brake pads on his personal vehicle, a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. The C63 is equipped with an enormous Brembo 6-Piston caliper from the factory and is purported to have one of the best brakes in a production car. However, there were some qualities left desiring. With the Original Equipment brake pads, C63's brake pedal travel would continuously increase in high-speed braking episodes, and the braking distance would gradually increase by a noticeable margin.
The company's owner, DM Jung, started testing the Nano-metal sintered brake pads on his personal vehicle, a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. The C63 is equipped with an enormous Brembo 6-Piston caliper from the factory and is purported to have one of the best brakes in a production car. However, there were some qualities left desiring. With the Original Equipment brake pads, C63's brake pedal travel would continuously increase in high-speed braking episodes, and the braking distance would gradually increase by a noticeable margin.
A set of prototype brake pads with DeFigo's friction material originally developed for railway application was tested on the C63. The testing result was phenomenal. The spongy brake feel was replaced by rock-solid pedal feel and it stayed that way during 10 successive stops from high speed. Initial braking response was improved. What’s more, the rotor wear and dust was reduced over the OEM brake pad.
A set of prototype brake pads with DeFigo's friction material originally developed for railway application was tested on the C63. The testing result was phenomenal. The spongy brake feel was replaced by rock-solid pedal feel and it stayed that way during 10 successive stops from high speed. Initial braking response was improved. What’s more, the rotor wear and dust was reduced over the OEM brake pad.
The "train-formula" friction compound was optimized for passenger vehicles and launched for sale in 2008. Since original friction material was developed for trains, and required adjustment to improve characters such as noise and rotor wear. After rigorous testing in the lab and on the field, sport brake pads for passenger vehicles were officially launched in 2008. Since then, DeFigo brake pads has risen in popularity, and "basic" and "race" friction compound was added to the product lineup.
The "train-formula" friction compound was optimized for passenger vehicles and launched for sale in 2008. Since original friction material was developed for trains, and required adjustment to improve characters such as noise and rotor wear. After rigorous testing in the lab and on the field, sport brake pads for passenger vehicles were officially launched in 2008. Since then, DeFigo brake pads has risen in popularity, and "basic" and "race" friction compound was added to the product lineup.