Difference between clutch materials?

kuhlka said:

What is the difference between sintered, carbon, and aluminum clutch plates? I have to assume it would be friction and how power is transmitted to the rear wheel causing a different riding experience, but which does which?

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Just like flywheel weight, the weight of the clutch pads and disks adds up.

I will get Matt at Spec clutches to explain this better than I can. But, the composite used in the pad material differs based on pressure developed and temperatures seen. The material used in the clutch plate changes the flex and the heat dissipation as well.

Sintered - is sintered iron, carbon is a composite that can be full or partly carbon - light but some designs flex a lot more than others, and aluminum is best for heat dissipation, but flexes more than iron or steel when hot.

Pad/puck shape and surface area is as big of a deal as pad and plate material.

So I imagine sintered holds up the longest to abuse but holds heat and is heavy, carbon is really lightweight but flexes and gets good bite but doesn't hold up as well as sintered, and aluminum is the lightweight alternative between sintered and carbon?

Pretty fair reasoning.

Like I said, i sent an email to a friend that is a clutch expert for a better explanation. I am waiting to hear back.