Are Alloy Wheels History?

The world and technology are constantly advancing, and the time has come for plastic rims suitable for mass production. These wheels are precisely what were presented on the new SMART FORVISION. BASF played a significant role in the development of the rims and the entire car, developing numerous innovative solutions. The rim is made of ULTRAMID STRUCTURE, a new polyamide with reinforced long fibers, which BASF presented last year. This material has wider applications beyond the automotive industry, being used in the production of facade cladding and special studs, but we are interested in rims. The undeniable advantage of such thermoplastic rims is their weight; they are 30% lighter than traditional rims made of aluminum, with a single rim weighing only about 6 kg. "ULTRAMID" can also replace metal in other parts of the car, such as bumpers, battery mounts , various engine mounts, and many other structural elements. This will undoubtedly significantly reduce the vehicle's weight and reduce its weight, which will positively impact fuel consumption and improve acceleration. The wheels alone saved 12 kilograms.

The rims consist of two parts: the actual support element and the wheel cover, all of which are made of ULTRAMID STRUCTURE. Computers and BASF's proprietary simulation tool, ULTRASIM, played a significant role in the rim design. The shape of the spokes was also determined by computer without compromising the rim's structure. The wheels underwent meticulous testing in the SMART and BASF laboratories, including: tolerance testing on a wheel measuring machine; fatigue testing on a biaxial ZWARP wheel test rig; impact and crack resistance testing; and a tear-off test. Another advantage of these rims is that they can be easily painted in any color of your choice, according to your preferences and taste.

photo: manufacturer's photos

author: LadneFelgi.pl