Can someone tell me the difference between forged and cast alloy wheels??? TIA
02-19-2003, 09:51 AM
#6
NO! read inside
forging: can be done to any metal not just aluminum, forging is the process of shaping metal through compressive forces. (i.e. blacksmith making swords)
casting: pouring metal into a premade mold (which must not melt due to heat of the poured metal) metal is then cooled and removed.
casting: pouring metal into a premade mold (which must not melt due to heat of the poured metal) metal is then cooled and removed.
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02-19-2003, 10:02 AM
#8
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wow, then fuchs must have been a bitch to forge, ever see the thickness of them
the spokes are thick and really rounded, Cant imagine how many PSI it took to make those.
-Phil
-Phil
02-19-2003, 11:44 AM
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It's almost like a different materiel (detail and opinions inside)
A forging CAN be stronger for the same weight, lighter for the same strength, or anywhere in between. No guarantees on any given product, that depends on how well they (individually)were made.
Semi-technical why:
Metals are not completely uniform, they are made of grains. The grains themselves are much stronger than the boundaries between the grains. This means that under sufficient stress, the grain boundaries will separate MUCH easier than the grains themselves will fracture. When molten metal is cast (solidifies) the grains are formed and are relatively uniformly shaped in all directions. Stress is any direction will be able to find grain boundaries lined up with it to work on.
Forging metal squishes the grains. They are then lined up and very long and thin and most important, somewhat interlocked. Proper design will mean that the grain boundaries will not line up with the forces acting on them to make the metal very strong (in comparison to cast).
The differences can depend on the metal chosen (some benefit more from forging than others) and how it was done.
Cast metal is more subject to imperfections(tiny holes, stuff that's not supposed to be there, etc.) Forging minimizes these.
Opinions:
If you are buying for appearance, buy based on looks(duh).
If you are buying for performance, buy what racers put on their cars for racing on rough roads. Don't put "Formula 1" wheels on a street car. Formula 1 wheels don't hit potholes and are regularly inspected and replaced every year. I would look at Rally racing or something similar for good performing, tough wheels.
I'm currently collecting formulae to try to put the math to the discussion on how important light weight might be to a street car. I love light weight, but am unconvinced as to whether it matters on a 2 ton street car.
Semi-technical why:
Metals are not completely uniform, they are made of grains. The grains themselves are much stronger than the boundaries between the grains. This means that under sufficient stress, the grain boundaries will separate MUCH easier than the grains themselves will fracture. When molten metal is cast (solidifies) the grains are formed and are relatively uniformly shaped in all directions. Stress is any direction will be able to find grain boundaries lined up with it to work on.
Forging metal squishes the grains. They are then lined up and very long and thin and most important, somewhat interlocked. Proper design will mean that the grain boundaries will not line up with the forces acting on them to make the metal very strong (in comparison to cast).
The differences can depend on the metal chosen (some benefit more from forging than others) and how it was done.
Cast metal is more subject to imperfections(tiny holes, stuff that's not supposed to be there, etc.) Forging minimizes these.
Opinions:
If you are buying for appearance, buy based on looks(duh).
If you are buying for performance, buy what racers put on their cars for racing on rough roads. Don't put "Formula 1" wheels on a street car. Formula 1 wheels don't hit potholes and are regularly inspected and replaced every year. I would look at Rally racing or something similar for good performing, tough wheels.
I'm currently collecting formulae to try to put the math to the discussion on how important light weight might be to a street car. I love light weight, but am unconvinced as to whether it matters on a 2 ton street car.