Cast iron - a brake disc material for the future?

The vast majority of both production road car, and high performance racing vehicle brake discs have, since the introduction of the brake disc in the early nineteen fifties, been produced in Grey cast iron. This paper introduces the various cast iron materials used in industry today, and discusses their effect on disc performance. Precision Disc Castings have made significant investments, both in new plant and equipment, and in a research and development programme, a radical move for an automotive foundry. The view is put forward, that by working with the designer, a go ahead and innovative company such as Precision Disc Castings, can help influence future thinking on brake disc design, materials and production methods, and ensure that there is a future for grey cast iron, an extremely versatile and cost effective material.