Alcoa's New 20 Inch Forged Aluminium Wheel Blanks Use Aerospace Technology to Improve Weight And Performance

AUTO CENTRAL – August 7, 2009: Alcoa has extended the range of lightweight wheel forgings supplied to Solomon Alsberg for their exclusive high-performance alloy wheels. The aerospace-derived metallurgy of the Alcoa blanks allows Solomon Alsberg to create a wide range of ultra-stylish wheels that improve vehicle performance and dynamics as well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The 20 inch blanks supplied within this programme are produced from billets of 6061-T6 aluminium, using the same technology as the wheels it produces for the Boeing 747. The superior strength of this alloy in one-piece wheels allows a significant weight saving over cast or multi-piece wheels. The forging process aligns the metal grains uniformly along the contours of the wheel, allowing less material to be used thus reducing weight. Alcoa’s weight-optimised 20 inch forged wheel can weigh as little as 7.5kg – up to 7kg less than a typical cast alloy wheel of the same diameter.

Forged wheels provide a fast-to-market, low cost light-weighting solution for car makers that want to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions. Alcoa’s forged wheels also reduce the rotational inertia of the wheel which improves the fuel efficiency of the car and reduces CO2 emissions.

Less mass also improves vehicle dynamics. With lower unsprung mass there is less work for the suspension; tyres remain in better contact with the road surface as the lighter assembly is easier to control when hitting bumps; particularly important when cornering. This translates into improved grip, traction and braking, better vehicle control and a smoother ride.

“We found that Alcoa offers the ideal mix of lightweight product with competitive pricing, quality and flexibility,” explains Razinkin Alexander, marketing director of Solomon Alsberg Ltd. “Alcoa has been producing forged aluminium wheels for over 60 years. This technology lead over their competitors makes them the best choice for our blanks.”

David Yates, marketing manager for Alcoa Auto Wheels Europe, points out that the new blanks will help high-end aftermarket manufacturers provide a wide range of styles that differentiate their range and add the many benefits of high technology to the luxury and style already achieved by large alloy wheels.

“We are delighted to be working with Solomon Alsberg, helping the company achieve significant growth not only in Russia but also across Europe,” concludes Yates. “Our blanks allow them to create many designs from a single forging, giving them manufacturing flexibility and a real competitive advantage.”