Why Choose Alloy Wheels Made from an alloy of aluminum and magnesium, alloy wheels are becoming more and more commonplace on family vehicles. Once the preserve of sports-car owners only, these visually appealing and clean looking wheels are now found on a variety of vehicles. They are a lot lighter than the typical steel wheel. Alloy wheels reduce the unsprung weight of the vehicle and can lead to increased performance of a car. For instance, reducing the weight of the wheels means less stress on tires, particularly during high performance driving conditions. A lighter wheel often means the car will experience faster acceleration, more responsive handling, better breaking, and sometimes better mileage. How Are Alloy Wheels Made? Alloy wheels are made by a variety of methods. Some of the more 'high performance' wheels are made by utilizing processes quite different from cheaper models. For instance: Utilizing one-piece cast methods. The alloy wheel is manufactured by pouring molten aluminum into a mould. As the metal cools and hardens it takes the moulds shape. Dependent on the manufacturers required weight and strength of the wheel, different casting methods will be used, including low pressure/gravity and high counter pressure moulding. When finished the manufacturer has an alloy wheel ready to sell. Forged one piece wheels are made under extremely high levels of pressure. A solid piece of aluminum is used as material. A forging press exerts thousands of tons of pressure onto the metal and bends it into the required shape. This type of 'forging' can be time consuming but creates much stronger alloy wheels than other methods. It is often used by those looking to manufacture expensive alloy wheels. Multi-piece wheels. A two piece construction process is used when a wheel needs a cast aluminum centre welded to a more traditional steel outer wheel. The Benefits of Alloy Wheels Whilst there is little doubt that alloy wheels are visually appealing, they also have a number of other benefits over more traditional steel wheels. A lighter wheel can increase fuel efficiency, result in more responsive acceleration and breaking, and means there is far less stress on the vehicle. The physics behind 'unsprung weight' means 1kg being saved in weight from the suspension apparatus results in a further 15 kg weight being lost from the entire vehicle. Quite clearly this can lead to improvements in the handling of the vehicle, and makes everything appear less 'sluggish'.
Alloy wheels were once the preserve of 'boy racers' or those with money to burn. Improvements in technology means this is no longer the case. They can now be found on 'sensible' family cars and retail at a price that is within most peoples budget. They come in a variety of sizes, although the many benefits of fitting an alloy wheel are somewhat diminished the larger the wheel becomes. Contact Motorsports Wheels and Tyres today for all your alloy wheels needs.