The invention provides a lightweight
brake drum (10) comprising a lightweight, tubular inner member (14) having a reinforcement wrapping retention pattern (e.g., groove) cast in the exterior surface thereof, a length of reinforcement material (e.g., wrapped wire, cable, mesh, fibers, etc.) (16) in communication with a reinforcement retention pattern (e.g., a groove around the inner member) (14), the drum including an outer shell (18). The inner member (14) and the outer shell (18) are made of lightweight materials. Single, or multiple
layers of reinforcement material (e.g. wrapping) are applied (e.g., wrapped) around the inner member (14) to support and inhibit expansion of the inner member (14). Because the reinforcement material (16) provides support against expansion, the inner member (14) and the outer shell (18) can be made of lightweight materials. In preferred embodiments, a bonding layer (66) is applied to the exterior surface of the inner member prior to application of the reinforcement material thereon. In preferred embodiments the reinforcement material comprises a low-impedance material such as
copper along with another material that has good tensile strength characteristics (e.g., steel, composite fibers,
Basalt-fibers, etc.). Preferably, the inner member comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a aluminum-based
metal matrix composite (MMC) with a particulate reinforcement,
ceramic matrix composite (CMC), and
carbon graphite foam.