In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a high-strength brass alloy includes, by mass %, about 1.3% to about 2.3% of aluminum (Al), about 1.5% to about 3.0% of manganese (Mn), about 1% maximum of iron (Fe), about 1% maximum of nickel (Ni), about 0.4% maximum of tin (Sn), about 0.5% to about 2.0% of silicon (Si), about 57% to about 60% of copper (Cu), less than about 0.1% of lead (Pb), and the balance of zinc (Zn) and inevitable impurities, with the proviso that the ratio of Si/Mn is in the range of about 0.3 to about 0.7, and with the further proviso that the zinc equivalent content according to the following formula: ZnEq=Zn+Si*10Mn/2+Al*5 is from about 51% to about 58%.

An elevator load bearing assembly (30) includes a jacket (34) having different portions comprising different polymer compositions. In a disclosed example, a plurality of tension members (32) are at least partially surrounded by a first portion (36) comprising a first polymer composition. A second portion (38) establishes at least one exterior surface (40) of the jacket (34) and comprises a second polymer composition. In one example, a surface-modifying agent is added to alter the composition of at least a portion of the jacket (34). In another example, co-extrusion techniques using different polymer compositions establish different portions of the jacket (34).