Alloy Wheels for Cars — What You Need to Know

Alloy wheels are automobile wheels (without tires) made from light alloys such as aluminum or magnesium using a casting process. This process involves pouring molten metal into a mold where it cools and hardens into the desired shape.

Here are the main characteristics of alloy wheels:

Materials:

• The main materials for cast wheels are aluminum and magnesium alloys. Aluminum alloys are popular due to their lightness, strength, and corrosion resistance. Magnesium alloys are even lighter, but they are less resistant to corrosion and are more expensive to produce.

Manufacturing process:

• gravity casting: molten metal is poured into a mold under the influence of gravity. This method is simpler and cheaper, but does not always provide high surface quality and durability of the product.
• Low pressure die casting: molten metal is forced into the mould under pressure, which ensures better surface quality and mechanical properties of the disc.
• High pressure die casting: This method produces the most accurate and durable product, but is the most expensive.

Advantages:

• Lightness: Cast wheels are lighter than stamped steel wheels, which reduces unsprung weight and improves vehicle handling and fuel efficiency.
• strength: light alloys have good strength characteristics, which makes the wheels resistant to mechanical damage.
• Design: The casting process allows for more complex and attractive designs, which improves the appearance of the vehicle.

Flaws:

• Cost: Alloy wheels are usually more expensive than steel wheels due to the more complex and expensive manufacturing process.
• Susceptibility to damage: Alloy wheels can be more fragile and prone to cracking when subjected to strong impacts, such as driving into deep potholes in the road.

Alloy wheels have become popular due to their numerous benefits such as improving the performance of a car and the ability to create a variety of designs.

Alloy wheels — dimensions (radius)

Alloy wheels come in a variety of sizes to suit different makes and models of cars, as well as the preferences of car owners. The basic dimensions (radius) of alloy wheels are measured in inches. Here are some of the most common sizes:

Small size (13-15 inches): Typically used on compact and city cars.

• 13 inches
• 14 inches
• 15 inches

Alloy wheels radius 15 in this category is the most in demand, by the way.

Medium sizes (16-18 inches): Popular among mid-size cars, including sedans, crossovers, and some sports cars.

• 16 inches
• 17 inches
• 18 inches

Big sizes (19-22 inches and above): Used on sports cars, luxury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks.

• 19 inches
• 20 inches
• 21 inches
• 22 inches

Very large sizes (23 inches and above): These sizes are less common and are usually used for specific car models, tuning or motorsports.

• 23 inches
• 24 inches and more

The choice of disk size depends on several factors:

• Car make and model: Car manufacturers recommend specific wheel sizes for each model.
• Driving type and style: For sporty driving, larger wheels can be used to improve handling.
• Design and aesthetics: Many car owners choose wheels based on their appearance to improve the appearance of their car.
• Comfort and performance: Large wheels with low-profile tires can improve handling, but can reduce ride comfort on poor roads.

It is important to remember that the choice of wheel size should take into account the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer and be consistent with the tire parameters to ensure safety and optimal vehicle performance.