3 Wheels...........................

3 Wheels...................................................................................................................................................2
3.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
3.2 Requirements....................................................................................................................................3
3.3 Cast aluminium wheels...................................................................................................................... 5
3.3.1 Casting processes........................................................................................................................ 6
3.3.2 Flow-formed cast wheels............................................................................................................. 8
3.3.3 Finishing and inspection.............................................................................................................. 9
3.3.4 Casting alloys and heat treatments.............................................................................................. 10
3.3.5 Mechanical characteristics of heat treated wheels........................................................................ 11
3.3.6 Mechanical characteristics of non-heat-treated wheels................................................................. 12
3.4 Forged wheels.................................................................................................................................14
3.4.1 General characteristics and examples.......................................................................................... 15
3.4.2 Materials aspects...................................................................................................................... 16
3.4.3 Manufacturing process.............................................................................................................. 17
3.5 Surface finishing............................................................................................................................. 18
3.6 Fabricated wheels............................................................................................................................ 19
3.6.1 Three piece wheels................................................................................................................... 19
3.6.2 Two piece wheels..................................................................................................................... 20
3.7 Aluminium sheet wheel................................................................................................................... 20
3.8 Future developments....................................................................................................................... 22