How are Alloy Wheels made?
Alloy wheels are becoming increasingly popular for road cars but it's good to know how they are created so you are aware of the quality of the wheel and any options you can get with it. The following are some common ways alloy wheels are currently manufactured.
Casting
This is the most common method of alloy wheel manufacturing. This process involves placing molten aluminium in a mould and can be done one of two ways: gravity casting or low-pressure casting. Gravity casting is the process of putting molten aluminium into a mould, allowing gravity to slowly fill the mould. Low pressure casting is the process of using pressure to move the molten aluminium into the mould faster to achieve a product that is denser and more mechanically sound than a gravity cast wheel.
Spun-rim
This process starts with low pressure casting. From here another machine spins the casting, heats the outer portion and finishes by using steel rollers to press against the rim for its final shape. By combining spinning, heat and pressure, the rim is similar in strength to a forged wheel.
Forged
Forging is the process of forcing a solid portion of aluminium between forging dies under an extreme amount of pressure. The end result is an ideal finished product – an incredibly strong, dense, and light wheel. However, this process of manufacturing is incredibly expensive and you will pay a premium price for the finished product.
Multi-piece alloy wheels
Multi-piece wheels are assembled from two to three different components. Three-piece alloy wheels usually have spun rim sections that are bolted to the centre. Three-piece wheels are popular for 17”+ diameters as they are very customizable. Two-piece wheels are less expensive, more common, and not as easily customized. Some manufacturers press the centre into spun rim sections and weld the unit together for two-piece alloy wheels. Other manufactures have the centre bolted into a cast or cast/spun rim section.
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