To obtain an intermediate layer material containing whisker-like potassium silicate fibers having a specific fiber length and a fiber diameter, good in a heat-insulating property, excellent in a strength against a braking force during a frictional braking operation and disposed between a friction material and a back metal plate.

This intermediate layer material comprises a fiber component (e.g. aramide fibers), a binder component such as a phenolic resin, and a filler component such as barium sulfate. Therein, whisker-like calcium silicate fibers having a fiber length of 5-30μm and a fiber diameter of 0.3-2μm are contained at least as a part of the components. Whisker-like potassium titanate fibers having a fiber length of 5-30μm and a fiber diameter of 0.3-2μm may simultaneously be used together with the whisker-like calcium silicate fibers. The volume content of the whisker-like calcium silicate fibers in the intermediate layer material is preferably larger than the volume content of the whisker-like potassium titanate fibers.