A friction material for a clutch pad comprising: a base layer including: a plurality of fibers; and, a filler material; and, a surface layer, substantially devoid of fibers, including: a friction modifier; and, a coupling agent. A method of making a friction material composite, the method comprising: forming a base layer, having oppositely disposed first and second surfaces and a first density, and including a plurality of fibers and a filler material; mixing a friction modifier and an organosilane coupling agent to form a mixture; applying the mixture uniformly to the first surface of the base layer to form a friction modifying surface layer, having oppositely disposed third and fourth surfaces and a second density, and an interfacial bonding layer therebetween; and, saturating the base layer, the interfacial bonding layer, and the friction modifying surface layer with a binder.