Rim types and their advantages: aluminium, chrome or carbon?
Car rims come in a variety of shapes and materials. All metals are represented, from the classic steel rim to the super-modern light alloy rim made of carbon. Each material has advantages and disadvantages that you should know before making a purchase decision:
steel rims
- Steel rims used to be very thick and heavy, but today they are only slightly heavier than aluminum rims and are still very strong.
- They are very cheap but not very decorative. Without a hubcap, steel rims look rather unadorned.
aluminum rims
- Forged aluminum rims are stronger and more durable than cast aluminum rims.
- Aluminum rims are no better or worse to drive than rims made from other materials. They are only preferred because of the nicer look.
- The more corrosion-resistant the aluminum, the higher the quality of the rim.
- Through CNC bright turning, we can in our FelgenFix workshop to achieve an appealing bicolor effect with high-contrast surfaces. Many manufacturers already rely on this form of refinement during production.
- Chrome-plated aluminum rims look particularly elegant because of their reflective chrome layer and are very popular in the tuning sector. Chrome surfaces have to be cleaned and prepared differently than pure aluminum rims.
Special alloy wheels
- Magnesium, silicon or manganese alloys are used in professional motorsport. The maintenance and repair of the luxury materials is expensive and should only be done by be carried out by professionals.
- Carbon or Kevlar are popular materials in motorcycling. The materials are light, extremely strong and very expensive.