This friction material has a fibrous base material and preferably is a wet friction material for use in a fluid environment. The fibers have a small diameter and a high tensile modulus resulting in flexible fibers that performs well in a high temperature, high pressure fluid environment. The fibers have a diameter ranging from 1 to 20 micrometers and a tensile modulus greater than 70 Gpa. In the preferred embodiment, the small diameter fibers are small diameter carbon fibers or small diameter mineral fibers.