Alloy Wheels (Pentas)
- Thread starter Moon
- Start date
luvmyaccord
6th & Type R Mod
I'd have ***umed that it's the same as any other alloys out there. As you know, 'alloy' wheels are a mixture of a couple of different types of metal, hence the name alloys.
Usually it's Aluminium and Silicon. But there are other trace elements to be found to provide maxinum strength and 'form holding'. When you look at light alloys the mix is usually Aluminium and Magnesium.
*copied and pasted*
Aluminium alloy wheels are made from a mixture of aluminium and silicon and other elements: blended to exact proportions for maximum strength. The most usual specification is LM9, but other mixtures are possible to give different characteristics for different requirements. The foundries have a spectrometer to test for the exact composition before casting the wheels. See below for technical details
Aluminium is a very reactive metal which easily corrodes (to aluminium oxide, a white powder) if not protected from air and water.
Even lighter wheels can be made by casting from a mainly Magnesium alloy, but they are very expensive and only used for racing applications. We cannot supply magnesium based wheels.
Most alloy wheels are made by casting in a mould to produce a complete wheel, but some are made in 2 pieces - the rim edge and the spokes are then bolted together, and some are made in 3 pieces - the centre spokes, the front of the rim, and the back of the rim. This means wheels can be made more easily in different widths to fit wider tyres: mostly applicable to racing requirements but also for high performance cars where it is not economic to make a mould for a just a few wide wheels.
After the wheels have been cast they have to be turned on a computer controlled lathe to get the diameter to the exact size then drilled with the bolt holes in the correct positions. The face of the wheel usually also requires some hand finishing to remove any imperfections from the mould.
It is also possible to machine alloy wheels directly from a single billet of alloy for low volume requirements where mass production techniques are not viable.
There are 2 main reasons for fitting Alloy Wheels: Weight and Style. Alloy wheels are lighter than the same size of steel wheel, so the unsprung weight of the car is reduced. They also look 10 times smarter than a steel wheel, even with a fancy plastic trim covering it.
Using modern alloy casting techniques it is possible to create quite exotic shapes and styles of wheel, whilst still retaining adequate strength.
Aluminium alloy is a semi-porous material. The wheels are pressure tested for leaks after drilling and turning but before painting.
Originally alloy wheels were produced with a polished finish and no paint to protect the alloy from corrosion. Then it became normal to supply alloy wheels with a silver painted finish, and in some variations with a diamond polished rim edge protected by lacquer. Advancing from this some highly reflective paint finishes were used to replicate the original polished finish.
Usually it's Aluminium and Silicon. But there are other trace elements to be found to provide maxinum strength and 'form holding'. When you look at light alloys the mix is usually Aluminium and Magnesium.
*copied and pasted*
Aluminium alloy wheels are made from a mixture of aluminium and silicon and other elements: blended to exact proportions for maximum strength. The most usual specification is LM9, but other mixtures are possible to give different characteristics for different requirements. The foundries have a spectrometer to test for the exact composition before casting the wheels. See below for technical details
Aluminium is a very reactive metal which easily corrodes (to aluminium oxide, a white powder) if not protected from air and water.
Even lighter wheels can be made by casting from a mainly Magnesium alloy, but they are very expensive and only used for racing applications. We cannot supply magnesium based wheels.
Most alloy wheels are made by casting in a mould to produce a complete wheel, but some are made in 2 pieces - the rim edge and the spokes are then bolted together, and some are made in 3 pieces - the centre spokes, the front of the rim, and the back of the rim. This means wheels can be made more easily in different widths to fit wider tyres: mostly applicable to racing requirements but also for high performance cars where it is not economic to make a mould for a just a few wide wheels.
After the wheels have been cast they have to be turned on a computer controlled lathe to get the diameter to the exact size then drilled with the bolt holes in the correct positions. The face of the wheel usually also requires some hand finishing to remove any imperfections from the mould.
It is also possible to machine alloy wheels directly from a single billet of alloy for low volume requirements where mass production techniques are not viable.
There are 2 main reasons for fitting Alloy Wheels: Weight and Style. Alloy wheels are lighter than the same size of steel wheel, so the unsprung weight of the car is reduced. They also look 10 times smarter than a steel wheel, even with a fancy plastic trim covering it.
Using modern alloy casting techniques it is possible to create quite exotic shapes and styles of wheel, whilst still retaining adequate strength.
Aluminium alloy is a semi-porous material. The wheels are pressure tested for leaks after drilling and turning but before painting.
Originally alloy wheels were produced with a polished finish and no paint to protect the alloy from corrosion. Then it became normal to supply alloy wheels with a silver painted finish, and in some variations with a diamond polished rim edge protected by lacquer. Advancing from this some highly reflective paint finishes were used to replicate the original polished finish.
I've read that the Pentas are made from cheese :unsure: . I doubt they really are, but I have heard it's something to be wary of if buying them second hand. Don't know if there's any truth in this?
luvmyaccord
6th & Type R Mod
hahaha, well, cheese is protein and water. Is that the same as the moon being made of cheese? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
*only kidding dude*
*only kidding dude*
Nice one, ta.
If anyone has ever refurbed their wheels themself, what filler have you used to fill deep scratches?
Swervin Mervin
Members
Fillerdelphia of course :lol:
Blanco808
Members
I've used chemical metal filler in the past with good results
Cheers, I'll have a look.