A substantially copper-free friction material for a brake pad includes a binder forming approximately 8-18% by volume, a fiber forming 5-14% by volume, at least one lubricant forming up to 6% by volume, at least one abrasive forming 10-27% by volume, at least one carbon content component forming 36-51% by volume, and at least one filler forming 6-21% by volume. The friction material can be applied to the backing plate of a brake pad.