Difference between cast and forged wheels for cars
In the field of car modification, brakes, wheels and shock absorbers are known as the three core modification. Especially the wheels, not only occupy a large visual proportion of the body, but also the key to enhance the overall temperament and value of the vehicle. Therefore, wheel upgrading has always been a hot topic among car enthusiasts.
However, when upgrading wheels, enthusiasts are often faced with a choice: whether to choose cast wheels or forged wheels? Wheels produced by these two processes differ in terms of safety, durability, weight, heat dissipation, and handling. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of cast wheels and forged wheels to help you make an informed choice.
- Cast wheels
Casting is a process in which liquid metal is poured into a mould, then solidified and cooled and the desired shape is removed. Compared to forging, casting is less costly and more suitable for large sizes and complex shapes of wheels
🔶 Advantages:
- Low cost, suitable for mass production
- High surface finish for a better appearance
- The casting process is more suitable for the manufacture of wheels with complex shapes.
🔷 Disadvantages:
- The internal quality of casting is relatively poor compared to forging, prone to porosity and other defects
- Strength and toughness are poorer compared to forging, easily causing deformation, cracks and other problems.
- Relative to forging, casting corrosion resistance, corrosion resistance is worse
- Forged wheels
Forging is a process by heating the metal and then applying a large pressure or impact to make it form the desired shape. Compared with casting, forging can increase the strength, toughness and density of bearing hubs, so it is more suitable for manufacturing high-strength, high wear-resistant hubs
🔶 Advantages:
- Strength, toughness relative to casting is better, can meet some high strength, high durability requirements
- High density, can ensure that the wheel is more stable
- Wheel corrosion resistance, corrosion resistance is better than casting
🔷 Disadvantages:
- Manufacturing costs are higher compared to casting, suitable for small batch production
- Manufacturing process generates more scrap
- Forging is not as suitable a process as casting for complex wheel shapes
As for spinning wheels, it falls between ordinary casting and forging, making it a more cost-effective option. The spin casting process, which adds the rotary stamping process of a spinning machine to the casting process, improves the strength and toughness of the wheel, while achieving a lighter weight.
If you are on a limited budget but desire to experience the passion of power and speed, then spinning wheels are undoubtedly a good choice. Compared with ordinary cast wheels, spinning wheels have better performance in terms of light weight and rigidity.