Abstract: A gray iron alloy having a composition comprising about 4.10% to about 4.25% carbon equivalent, about 3.5% to about 3.65% carbon, about 0.4% to about 0.9% manganese, about 1.5% to about 1.9% silicon, less than about 0.12% phosphorous, less than about 0.17% sulfur, about 0.6% to about 0.8% molybdenum and about 0.3% to about 0.6% copper, and where said carbon is predominantly present as free carbon having a Type A flake graphite microstructure. The alloy is particularly useful in the manufacture of brake drums and other articles requiring a combination of high tensile strength and good thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A metal alloy, structures made from the same, and methods of making the same, especially brake drums containing at least about 50% by weight of a ferritic matrix, up to 50% by weight of pearlitic iron, graphite including at least 10% by weight of nodular graphite, compacted graphite and no more than 20% by weight of flake graphite, and less than about 2.10% by weight of silicon.