Truck brakes are made out of many components. All of these items work together to allow the system to operate in a way that keeps the driver safe, no matter where they are on the road. One of the most significant pieces is the truck brake drum. You might wonder what this component is made of. Are truck brake drums made out of cast iron or some other material?
Most of the time, truck brake drums are made from cast iron. This material proves most effective against the intense pressures and heat a truck experiences while on the road. However, there are also a few other materials truck brake drums can be comprised of inside a vehicle.
Read on to learn more about the material truck brake drums are made of when constructed. By the time you have finished reading, you should have a solid understanding of what goes into truck brake drums on the road. There are many reasons why cast iron stands out amongst other forms of moldable steel.
Are Truck Brake Drums Cast Iron?
Most of the time, truck brake drums are made from cast iron. These big pieces need to be comprised of a metal that can stand pressure and heat that occurs when the vehicle stops. There are many qualities hidden inside cast iron that makes it the ideal metal for making truck brake drums.
Cast iron is often used to make up truck brake drums because:
- It handles heat well: Cast iron is a material that can withstand hot temperatures. With a braking system, the drums are always exposed to high temperatures.
- It is durable under harsh conditions: Cast iron is durable and can withstand anything the world throws at it.
These two reasons make cast iron the ideal material for truck brake drums rather than any other form of steel.
Cast iron is a sturdy material that can handle a lot when attached to a truck braking system. Those looking for something that will stand the test of time rather than falling apart can rest assured in cast iron brake drums.
They are sure to hold up with whatever they face on the road, despite varying temperatures and intense pressures.
Here’s an in depth video showing the rebuild of drum brakes to give a better idea of the parts:
Are Any Other Materials Utilized in Truck Brake Drums?
Occasionally, truck brake drums may be made out of different metals. The most common substitute for cast iron in a truck brake drum is aluminum. There are a few reasons why this material might be used rather than cast iron in a braking system, all of which are vital to a truck’s operation.
Aluminum as a material in a brake drum:
- Conducts heat well: Aluminum can conduct heat very well, allowing it to seep into the surface without damaging the component.
- Improves dissipation: Thanks to this excellent conduction of heat, dissipation goes very well with aluminum. It is comparable to cast iron in its effectiveness.
These two items make aluminum an excellent truck brake drum material, though secondary to cast iron in overall effectiveness on the road.
It is not often that aluminum is chosen for a brake drum over cast iron in the truck world. However, when a substitution happens, aluminum is usually the material selected.
These two materials can both survive inside a truck brake drum setting. However, cast iron is the item that comes out on top when placed inside a vehicle made for driving long distances.
Is Cast Iron the Best Material for Truck Brake Drums?
- Though aluminum has some great qualities, cast iron is overall the best material for truck brake drums.
- It is sturdy, resistant to heat, and holds up against the roughness the road may throw at it.
- Most trucks utilize this powerful material to make up truck drum brake irons.
Overall, this material is an excellent standard for truck brake drums. It’s a quality metal that will help trucks drive many long miles throughout their existence. Many things make cast iron stand out against other metals. These are critical to consider when wondering why cast iron is such a popular choice.
Why Are Truck Brake Drums Made of Cast Iron?
Now that you know truck brake drums are cast iron, you might wonder why they are comprised of this material. What makes cast iron the ideal material over all the other options out on the market?
Truck brake drums are typically made out of cast iron over other components because:
- Higher friction coefficient: Cast iron can handle the extreme friction it must face on the road when placed inside a truck. Most other metals cannot take this force.
- Capacity to dissipate: Cast iron can dissipate heat over its surface, while other materials tend to gather it in one place and cause damage to the piece.
- Strength: As mentioned above, cast iron has a strength that can exceed most other materials. Unfortunately, this does make it heavier than materials like aluminum.
These three factors allow cast iron to stand out amongst other metals that might be utilized for truck brake drums.
Until a better material comes to be, cast iron will continue to be the material truck brake drums are formed from in factories. It is a strong material that can serve truck drivers well as they take on the road every day.
Conclusion
The brake drum is a critical part of any vehicle. It is especially vital in something as large as a truck. The brake drum serves to help the truck stop, so the material of the drum is critical.
Most of the time, truck brake drums are cast iron. However, they can also be materials such as aluminum or a combination of the two.
When it comes to brake drums, the stronger the material, the better they will operate. Drivers need to have a system they can count on on the road. Cast iron is one of the best items to give them that comfort, allowing even the biggest trucks to slow down and stop with ease.