Friction Shims Market

Friction Shims Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

The global friction shims market was valued at US$ 673.4 million in 2023 and has been forecasted to expand at a noteworthy CAGR of 7.2% to end up at US$ 1,443.4 million by 2034.

Thin friction shims are used between the contact surfaces in mechanical assemblies to increase friction and improve grip. Most of the shim materials manufactured from stainless steel, aluminum, and copper provide resisting friction forces against slippage, bearing load, and transmitting torque in highly stressed conditions. Friction shims serve for vast applications in automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery to ensure stability, longevity, and precision.

• Sales of stainless steel friction shims in 2024 are estimated at US$ 264.6 million, and the segment will account for 36.7% of the overall friction shims market share in 2024.
• The automotive end-use industry segment is estimated US$ 329.4 million in 2024 and accounted for 45.7% share of the market.

Report Attributes	Details
Friction Shims Market Size (2023A)	US$ 673.4 Million
Estimated Market Value (2024E)	US$ 720.2 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 1,443.4 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	7.2%CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024)	38.4%
China Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	8.0% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	3M; AccuTrex Products; American Metric Corporation; CCT GmbH; Freudenberg Group; Heraeus; MAT Holdings Inc.; Northern Industrial Mfg.; Sintex; SKF; SPIROL; Other Prominent Players

Sales Analysis of Friction Shims (2019 to 2023) vs. Market Forecasts (2024 to 2034)

A predictive analysis was conducted on the market, for the forecast period of 2024 to 2034, with a historical growth rate of 6.5% from 2019-2023. The anticipated growth (2024 to 2034) in sales will rise by 7.2% at a CAGR to reach an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 723.2 million.

Historical Report Attributes	Details
Market Size (2019A)	US$ 514.6 Million
Market Size (2023A)	US$ 673.4 Million
Historical CAGR (2019-2023)	6.5%
Forecasted CAGR (2024-2034)	7.2%

• Short Term (2024 to 2027): The friction shims market is estimated to expand at an accelerated rate from 2024 through 2027 at a CAGR of 7-8%. The growth of demand is expected to be driven by the intensification of electric vehicle adoption and continued infrastructure for renewable energy. Automotive demand, specifically electric vehicle powertrains and battery systems, is expected to be the high growth driver.
• Medium Term (2028 to 2030): The medium term is forecasted to be between 2028 and 2030, where subdued growth but with steadiness will persist; matured automotive and e-mobility markets add further benefit to the market; the critical status of friction shims is to be maintained in electric and hybrid vehicle assembly, and aerospace applications should take off the ground due to a revival that occurred in commercial and private aviation, coupled with higher standards for safety and performance.
• Long Term (2031 to 2034): E-mobility and renewable energy will continue to be important, with renewable projects, like offshore wind farms and solar infrastructure, driving the need for shims in more demanding applications. Processes in industrial manufacturing will embrace automation and robotics to bring more friction shims into the functions required for supporting stability and efficiency in precision equipment.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the friction shims market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period from 2024-2034, According to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics

Why is the Shift towards E-Mobility Driving Demand for Friction Shims?

“Increasing Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Production Spurs Demand for Lightweight and High-Performance Friction Shims across Powertrains and Battery Assemblies”

The main driving force behind the friction shims market is the growing demand for electric and hybrid vehicles because such vehicles demand high-performance, light-weight, and efficiency-guaranteeing parts. Friction shims are highly relevant in the enhancement of torque transmittance and stability within the power trains and assemblies of batteries of EVs, which are prone to high thermal and mechanical stress.

Governments worldwide declare ambitious targets to cut their emissions, manufacturers will manufacture vehicles with fewer emissions while maintaining performance levels. This has created a demand for advanced materials that have a high strength-to-weight ratio and durability, such as aluminum and copper-based shims.

How is the Renewable Energy Boom Shaping Friction Shims Demand?

“Expanding Renewable Energy Installations Create Demand for High-Strength Friction Shims in Wind Turbines, Solar Assemblies, and Heavy Industrial Applications”

Another driver behind the market for friction shims is the rapid increase in renewable energy projects around the world, especially in terms of wind and solar installations. Such installations require stable and durable component parts to resist the harsh environmental conditions.

Friction shims are applied in critical elements in assemblies of turbines and in the structure of solar panels and heavy machinery employed on various renewable projects. With the demand in infrastructure to back sustainable energy going up, friction shims are likely to be an integral part of the new industry of reliance and performance, thus fostering growth across the majority of the key regions with initiatives on green energy.

What Are the Cost Challenges Restraining the Friction Shims Market?

“High Production Costs and Raw Material Volatility Limit Market Expansion and Widespread Adoption, Especially in Cost-Sensitive Industries”

High production cost coupled with volatile prices of raw materials hampers the growth of the friction shims market. Performance benefits are the factors that make stainless steel, aluminum, and copper as base materials for the production of friction shims. For instance, due to supply deficits and high demand from high-tech sectors, the price of aluminum and copper has been very volatile. These pressure cost factors have their impact on the friction shims' manufacturing cost and create serious problems in the hands of manufacturers for maintaining competitive prices.

Cost-sensitive industries such as construction, and many sectors of industrial machinery, would not employ friction shims where cheaper substitute options are available. This limits the penetration in the market, especially in regions where price sensitivity is still high. Companies will invest in research and development on alternative materials or look for efficiencies within production processes to drive down the cost of production; however, this will take time to scale and implement.

Country-wise Insights

Country-wise Forecast CAGRs for the Friction Shims Market

Country	CAGR
U.S.	6.8%
China	8.0%
Japan	7.7%
South Korea	6.3%

How Is the United States Market Positioned in the Friction Shims Industry?

“Strong Automotive and Aerospace Sectors Fuel Demand for High-Performance Friction Shims in the United States”

The U.S. market for friction shims is estimated at US$ 100.6 million in 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% through 2034, generating a US$ 94.2 million absolute opportunity. The country’s strong and well-established manufacturing sector is a key driver for this high adoption.

There is evidence of strong automotive and aerospace sectors in the US, which must hold a good position in the global scenario for friction shims. The American auto industry is highly focused on advanced vehicles - electric and hybrid - requiring increasingly more durable friction shims for torque transfer, stability, and component life.

Wind and solar installations within the U.S. renewable energy sector have also come on as a major growth impetus, as projects require high strength, resilient shims for robust structural stability. In addition, government incentives promoting clean energy and sustainability have added opportunities for friction shims tailored to renewable applications.

Improved regulatory requirements which are presently beneficial for energy efficiency and environmental compliance in the industries will provide sufficient demand for the innovative friction shims in the U.S. market, even over the next ten years, but only with the same growth rate as the previous decade.

How Is China’s Industrial Expansion Shaping Its Friction Shims Market?

“China’s Rapid Industrial Growth and E-Mobility Adoption Drive Robust Demand for Friction Shims in Key Sectors”

China holds the market share of 55.6% across East Asia in 2024 and creates an absolute dollar opportunity of US$ 177.9 million over the forecast period.

The market for friction shims in China is growing at a fast pace due to significant industrial growth, manufacturing dominance, and rapid adoption of electric vehicles. Being the world's largest producer and consumer of electric vehicles, the Chinese automotive sector increasingly relies on friction shims to enhance stability, torque distribution, and performance in EV powertrains and assemblies.

Government support towards e-mobility, coupled with infrastructure-friendly policies and incentives for EV manufacturing, has been driving demand in friction shims as required components for the sector to expand further.

Along with propelling China towards renewable energy, especially in giant projects of wind and solar power generation, the industry is also in search of friction shims to stabilize renewable energy installations.

Category-wise Insights

Which End-Use Industry is Widely Preferred for the Friction Shims?

“Evolving Automotive Technologies and E-Mobility Propel Demand for High-Performance Friction Shims in the Automotive Industry”

Segmental Analysis	Automotive
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 329.4 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.5% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 617.6 Million

Friction shims is an increasingly more key element in the automotive sector. Demand is driven by the traditional vehicle segments alongside rapidly emerging electric and hybrid vehicle segments. OEMs maintain a high level of interest in friction shims for vehicle safety, performance, and sustainability. Therefore, friction shims are being increasingly included in the most important systems.

Friction shims are critical for electric vehicles to control torque and offer better stability in battery and powertrain assemblies, since there are thermal as well as mechanical loads on the components. The growing pressure toward e-mobility all over the world, fueled by more stringent emissions regulations and a strong demand for better options from consumers, places a rising emphasis on the need for advanced shims like this in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Auto and ADAS technologies applied to modern vehicles require extremely high-performance components, and friction shims are a critical component ensuring that the vehicle functions safely and efficiently under ever more complex operating conditions.

Competitive Landscape

The friction shims market is highly competitive, with a blend of established players and specialized manufacturers focusing on innovation and material advancements.

Key players like 3M, CCT GmbH, Heraeus, Sintex, and others dominate the market through a strong commitment to R&D, advanced manufacturing processes, and strategic partnerships.

• On Sept. 4, 2024, 3M has announced a significant achievement, producing and selling over 300 million Friction Shims globally. These small, nickel-coated steel shims, embedded with diamond particles, are designed to enhance the friction coefficients in bolted connections, offering superior load and torque handling capabilities.

As the demand for high-performance friction shims grows across automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors, companies are increasingly investing in lightweight and durable materials, such as advanced alloys and composites, to meet stringent industry requirements.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of friction shims positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Friction Shims Industry Research

• By Material Type :

  • Stainless Steel
  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Others (Brass, Carbon Steel, Lead, and Nickel)

• By Application :

  • Energy Technology & E- Mobility
  • Automotive & Engine Technology
  • Tools & Mould Construction
  • Automation & Handling

• By End-use Industry :

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Renewable Energy
  • Industrial Machinery

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa