Abstract: A stainless steel rotor for aviation applications has a preferred Rockwell Hardness of about 30 to about 35 to provide a suitable braking action. The adverse effects of galling are minimized through the provision of depressions on the braking surfaces of the rotor. Metal that is deformed on the braking surfaces or is separated therefrom as a result of frictional contact between the braking surfaces and the brake pads is moved into the depressions under the influence of the pads to keep the surfaces substantially free of deformations and accumulations of loose metal due to galling.