The increasing demands for indigenous non-toxic friction material for wind mill application with better braking properties is ever expanding and this has motivated the development of non-asbestos brake pads. As an alternative to asbestos friction materials, aramid fibre reinforced phenolic matrix friction composite was developed with fibre content varying from 0 to 7 wt %. Using pin type specimens, their friction and wear behaviour was evaluated against cast iron disc in a pin on disc testing apparatus. The test results at a constant load of 70 N and at two speeds of 1.5 m/s and 5 m/s showed that the coefficient of friction decreased with fibre content and sliding velocity, almost linearly. The wear rate also decreased with increase in fibre content but was following a polynomial relation of third order. A composition which gives frictional coefficient of 0.45 to 0.40 and a minimum wear rate is desirable for the application. The formulation containing 5 wt % aramid fibre exhibited friction in this range and its wear rate was almost closer to the minimal value. Hence, from friction and wear considerations an aramid fibre content of 5 wt % is ideal for this application. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.