Friction characteristics of the brake friction materials without environmentally regulated ingredients were examined to find their role in the brake performance. Five friction materials were produced based on a nearcommercial formulation by changing the relative amount of potentially hazardous ingredients to health and environment, such as $Sb_2S_3$, potassium titanate, and brass fiber. Tribological properties of the friction materials were obtained using a scale dynamometer and Krauss type tribometer. Results showed that the excluded three ingredients played important synergetic effects on tribological properties in terms of fade resistance, wear resistance and friction effectiveness. In particular, brass fibers played important roles in the friction stability by providing excellent thermal diffusivity at the friction interface. Potassium titanate whiskers showed excellent fade resistance and wear resistance compared to the substituted barite. Antimony trisulfide, on the other hand, showed little effect on the high temperature fade resistance and wear resistance, while it increased friction effectiveness at moderate temperatures. The friction materials without the three ingredients showed severe fade, indicating antisynergy effects.