The present study deals with the development of five different brake friction composites to the standard of Indian scenario brake pads by varying the different cashew friction dusts namely furfural modified, boron modified, boron-graphite modified, cardanol and CNSL based without varying the other ingredients. The developed brake friction composites were tested for their physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties as per industrial standards. The thermal stability was found for varying ingredients and the developed composites using Thermo Gravimetric Analyser. Tribological properties were analysed using full-scale inertia brake dynamometer as per JASO-C-406 Schedule. The ranking of the dyno tested friction composites was done using VIKOR and ELECTRE methods. Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with elemental mapping was used to elucidate back transfer and surface characteristics of the dyno tested brake pads. The results revealed that boron-graphite modified friction dust-based brake pads were beneficial with good fade, wear resistance and recovery characteristics due to its thermally stable and heat dissipating characteristics. •Utilisation of various cashew friction dusts as an ingredient in brake pads.•Boron-graphite modified friction dust based brake pads showed lower fade & higher recovery rates.•Boron-graphite modified friction dust based brake pads showed less pad and rotor wear.