Abstract

The characteristics required for wheel function were clarified and a thin, lightweight aluminum wheel was developed. The method adopted to reduce wheel thickness involved improving the mechanical properties of the materials by modification of the die layout. In the newly developed die layout, the gates that are set at the periphery of the outer rim are positioned at the bottom of the slide die so that the number of gates, their locations, and their shapes can be changed freely as needed. This arrangement made it possible to reduce the thickness of the material and increase the cooling rate. The faster cooling rate resulted in a finer structure, yielding greater elongation, which improved the fatigue strength and increased the toughness of the material. As a result, the thickness of the product in the inner rim and spoke portions was reduced 25%, achieving a 10% reduction in the weight of the wheel. This also shortened the casting cycle time and eliminated the need for a reforming press, therefore improving productivity.

References

1. (1) JIS D4103 Automobile Parts — Disc Wheels — Performance requirements and marking
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4. (4) Adachi, M.: IMONO•Diecast, Aluminum NO SEIHIN TO SEIZOUGIJUTU, Tokyo, The Japan Institute of Light Metals, p. 384 (2002)
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Author (organization or company)

• Satoshi TAKAHASHI（Tochigi R&D Center）

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.15 No.1 (115 - 122)

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Citation Information