PURPOSE: To provide a friction material having excellent frictional performance at a high temp., containing a fiber, a binder, a filler and an aid consisting of microballoon.

CONSTITUTION: A friction material contains a fiber such as asbestos or steel fiber, a binder such as a phenolic resin, a filler such as graphite, iron powder, BaSO4 or Ca(OH)2 and further an aid consisting of microballoon prepd. from carbon, alumina, silica/alumina, glass or fly ash. By incorporating the microballoon as an aid, a material exhibiting excellent frictional performance at a high temp. of 300°C or above and inhibiting sparking even at a temp. exceeding 600°C can be obtd. The aid is used in a quantity of 3W25% based on the total quantity of the material. The friction material is suitable for use as a material for automotive brake, etc.