Brake drum is a friction coupling part of drum brake, in addition to the required strength and stiffness as a component, but also should be as high as possible and stable friction coefficient, as well as appropriate wear resistance, heat resistance, heat dissipation and heat capacity.

There are many classification ways of brake drum, according to the structure of brake drum can be divided into three, as follows:

1. Whole casting type

Brake drum is made of high strength gray cast iron or alloy cast iron containing Cr. This kind of brake drum has the advantages of simple structure, convenient processing, large heat capacity, but large mass, and is mostly used in medium and heavy duty vehicles.

2. Combined steel plate and cast iron

Brake drum is composed of steel plate stamping drum plate and cast iron drum ring, the mass is small, more used in cars and light vehicles.

3. Light alloy combined with cast iron

The main body of the brake drum is light alloy material (such as aluminum alloy, etc.), lined with cast iron bushing. This kind of brake drum is not only small in mass, but also good in heat dissipation. It is mostly used in cars.