OEM 6 Spoke Wheel Alloy / Composition?

[SSGNRDZ_28]

To Quote Nine Ball in this thread:

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads...heels/page2?highlight=OEM+FORGED+WHEEL+WEIGHT

The only "lightweight" factory Viper wheels are these, which are rotary forged barrels with cast aluminum spokes.

Copperhead Edition 5-spokes
Gen 4 ACR 5-spokes (same wheel as above)
Gen 4 6-spokes

The rest of the factory wheels are sort of heavy.

The factory wheels have cast aluminum spokes and rotary forged barrels...

Does anyone know the actual alloy used for the wheels? Is the alloy consistent between the spokes and barrel?

Thanks!

 

[Nine Ball]

The wheels are 1-piece, with the same alloy used throughout the wheel. Rotary forging is a process done to the cast aluminum preform, where it is drawn over a hot mandrel to create the final shape of the barrel. The heat and pressure used to do this process helps align the grain structure and makes the wheel stronger. This means they can use a thinner material thickness, which results in a lighter wheel barrel.

Video of process: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kyU-SxePIYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kyU-SxePIY

 

[gb66gth]

That's friggin cool!
Is it weird that I'm mildly aroused?

 

[JAY]

Great video , thanks for sharing !

 

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Good information. So do these wheels have the same properties as a forged wheel when it comes to heat treating? I know many have powder coated their OEM wheels - is heat cycling a concern or not since it is not really a forged wheel?

 

[Nine Ball]

I'm not a metallurgist by trade, but I do deal with a lot of materials issues in my career (oil/gas). Powdercoating indeed raises some concern, even on forged wheels. Temperature control and duration are important, as to not alter the structural properties of the aluminum. If you ever powdercoat wheels, make sure it is an experienced shop that knows what the safe limits are.

Forged wheels are 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Cast wheels are usually 356-grade aluminum alloy. 6061-T6 Forged wheels are better quality, of course.