Cu-free　resin-based　brake　material　filled　with　waste　foundry　resin-bonded　sand　(waste　sand)　was　prepared　using　the　hot-pressing　method.　The　changes　in　the　physical　and　chemical　properties　of　Cu　and　waste　sand　during　braking　were　investigated,　and　their　role　in　resin-based　composites　was　discussed.　The　effects　of　the　content　of　waste　sand　on　the　hardness,　impact　strength,　indentation　hardness,　elastic　modulus,　friction　coefficient,　wear　rate,　micro-scratch　friction　coefficient,　scratch　depth,　residual　depth,　and　wear　mechanism　of　resin-based　brake　material　were　investigated.　Cu-contained　composites　generate　Cu2O　when　braking　at　high　temperatures,　which　adversely　affects　the　friction　and　wear　properties.　Compared　to　Cu,　waste　sand　was　found　to　be　more　favorable　for　the　overall　friction　and　wear　properties　of　resin-based　composites.　This　suggests　that　waste　sand　can　be　used　as　a　substitute　for　Cu　in　brake　material.　Waste　sand　is　beneficial　for　improving　the　friction　coefficient　and　stability　of　brake　material　through　the　formation　of　a　friction　layer.　This　layer　can　significantly　impact　the　wear　mechanism　of　brake　material,　particularly　at　high　temperature　(250-350　celcius).　The　brake　material　with　10-15%　waste　sand　indicates　excellent　heat-fade　resistance.