Different Types Of Alloy Wheels And Their Uses

Author: Sumit Das

Alloy Wheels are made by mixing aluminium and magnesium. They’re also often called "mag wheels." They are typically created via casting or forging, though other production methods include gravity casting as well. They are further routed for making them lighter than steel wheels.

Forged ones are generally more durable than those that are cast. They are usually more expensive than steel wheels. The most crucial benefit of alloy wheels is that they are rust-resistant when compared to steel wheels.

Advantages of Alloy Wheels

Alloy wheels have many advantages over other types of wheels. Since they are lighter than the steel wheels, they help in terms of mileage, acceleration and braking. Handling and steering characteristics are also improved with alloy wheels.

It also results in less damage to the engine and suspension of the vehicle, which makes your vehicle free of high maintenance costs. The different types of alloys and their uses are mentioned below.

Aluminium Alloys

Although aluminium alone isn’t the most durable metal, but to make the alloys conductive, heat and tarnish-resistant, it is mixed with other metals.

Aluminium is used in many essential mechanical components, including car engines, aeroplane body panels, and boat hulls.

Copper Alloys

Copper can be oxidised; that’s why it is mixed with different elements to prevent oxidation and increase strength. Brass is the most common copper alloy, with 20% zinc in it.

Bronze is another common alloy of copper, which is mixed with another 10%. It is used for making statues & coins, and decorative items such as jewellery, nuts and bolts.

Iron Alloys

Steel is the most common alloy of iron, which has 0.5% to 1.5% of carbon. Carbon is mixed to prevent corrosion, and also makes it stronger.

Stainless steel is yet another alloy of iron, mixed with nickel and chromium along with carbon, it makes the wheels shiny and also prevents corrosion. Forks, knives, sinks and many other products are made from stainless steel.

Gold Alloys

The most common gold alloys are yellow gold and white gold. The yellow gold has silver, copper and sometimes cobalt, whereas the white gold contains nickel, copper, zinc, and sometimes palladium.

Since gold is electrically conductive and malleable, it is used in manufacturing electronics.

Alloy wheels are a lot more durable than the standard wheels. A lot of consumers believe that the only type of wheels that matter nowadays are the alloy wheels. Now, since you have learned about alloys, it’s the time to decide which one is the right type for your vehicle. There are many stores for alloy wheels UK wherein you can find a lot more information about the same.

If you are planning to buy these, then Elite Wheels & Tyres is the garage you need to visit. It offers a variety of designs and sizes, especially a dedicated section of Volvo alloy wheels which has an extensive range of fitments and brands. Also, feel free to reach us for any query on this. Our team will be glad to assist.