Differences in aluminium alloy wheels

In the past, a more conservative attitude was taken towards the car modification industry; however, in recent years, although no norms have been formed in the car modification industry, the policy has relaxed its attitude towards car modification, not only opening up the restrictions on body colours and front and rear surround shapes, but even the style of the wheels can be changed (subject to the original size being retained). This is certainly good news for some car owners who are looking for individuality.

There is a saying in the car tuning industry that "ten pounds lighter on the spring is better than one pound lighter under the spring". As underspring mass is related to the responsiveness of the wheels, upgrading the wheels will have a greater impact on the performance of the vehicle in the currently permitted tuning. Even if the wheels are the same size, the mechanical properties and weight can vary considerably when using different materials and machining processes. In terms of material, aluminium is naturally superior to steel.

Gravity casting

Casting is a basic process in the metalworking industry. As early as prehistoric times, people knew how to use copper to make weapons and other utensils by casting. It is a technique in which metal is heated to a molten state and poured into a mould where it is cooled to shape, and the so-called "gravity casting" is the process in which liquid aluminium fills the mould by gravity. This is a cheap and simple process, but it is difficult to ensure the consistency of the rim, is prone to air bubbles and has a low strength and yield. Today this technology is slowly being phased out.

Low-pressure casting

Low-pressure casting is a casting method that uses gas pressure to press liquid metal into the mould and allows the casting to crystallise and solidify under a certain amount of pressure. This method allows the liquid metal to fill the mould quickly, and because the air pressure is not too strong, it increases the density of the metal without involving air. Compared to gravity casting, low pressure casting results in a denser and stronger internal structure of the wheel. Low-pressure casting has high production efficiency, high product qualification rate, good mechanical properties of the casting, high utilisation of the aluminium liquid and is suitable for mass matching production. Currently most of the low and medium-end cast wheels are made using this process.