If you go to a custom wheel shop in Oklahoma City, you’ll see some beautiful, high-performance forged wheels. But what does forged mean and is it a different process than casting? Here is information on casting and forging to give you a better idea of the processes and help you make the best wheel selection for your vehicle.
Casting
Casting has been around for centuries, and it involves heating metal until it’s in a liquid “molten” state. The liquid metal is then poured into molds and allowed to cool. After cooling, the wheels may be hardened by heating them and then rapidly quenching. The flashing is removed, and the wheels are finished.
Forging
Forging is not the same process as casting because the metal is not melted first. Instead, a solid cylinder of metal (usually an aluminum alloy like 6061) is forged into the shape of a wheel with special machinery. First, the metal is heated, so it softens to make the forging process easier. After forging, the wheels are finished by machining and other processing methods. Two or three-piece wheels are made in more than one piece and then assembled before they are shipped to custom wheel shops in Oklahoma City.
Benefits of Forging
Forging creates a more solid wheel than casting, so it’s much stronger and more durable than casting. These wheels are also more resistant to oxidation and corrosion. It takes less metal to create forged wheels, so you get a lighter wheel that is also stronger. In fact, they can be as much as 15 percent lighter than their cast counterparts.
Forged wheels give you increase performance and better fuel economy. The increased strength makes them safer for high-speed and long-distance driving. Your custom wheel shop in Oklahoma City can show you a wide range of brand name wheels.
