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Article: Selecting casting technology: permanent mold's perspective.(aluminum wheels)
- Article from:
- Modern Casting
- Article date:
- February 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 American Foundry Society, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The wheel.
Along with fire and fermentation, it is set in the crown of accomplishments of mankind. So simple, yet so useful. The automobile simply would not be the same without wheels.
Each year, more than 16 million cars and light trucks are produced in North America with an average of five wheels (don't forget the spare) on each one. This totals more than 80 million wheels each year (not including the after-market) manufactured predominantly from steel (60%) or aluminum (40%).
If wheels are to be made in steel, then they typically are forged. If wheels are to be made in aluminum, then they typically are permanent mold cast. But what permanent ...