An X-ray tube anode comprises a graphite ring, a target substrate applied onto the graphite ring and a target focal track applied onto the target substrate. The target focal track comprises a first refractory metal and the target substrate comprises a second refractory metal and at least one layer of a material that is characterized by characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is the same as the CTE of the target focal track or is intermediate between the CTE of the target focal track and the CTE of the substrate.