Car wheels, often simply called rims, are available in a wide range of sizes, designs and materials. To those that are not oriented to the differences there can be confusion.
Why would something as simple as car wheel rims be the cause of any confusion? Perhaps the answer lies in an internet search for the term “car wheels.” The results of this simple search include a host of terms including alloy wheels, steel wheels, aluminum rims, custom rims, custom wheels and more. As you can see from this, the material is a significant variable. Most car manufacturers are using alloy wheels in the production of their vehicles, but what metals go to make up the alloy?
The typical alloy wheel is a combination of base materials; aluminum and magnesium. Although wheels produced from this alloy date back many years they were used exclusively on racing cars. It was not until the mid 1980s that they became popular on normal cars. When these wheels first began to gain in popularity they were an option, the standard wheel at the time was a conventional steel wheel.
Although aluminum alloy wheels are less expensive, magnesium variants are preferred by many as they are more durable. Regardless of whether the wheels are magnesium or aluminum, both are considerably lighter than steel, the lighter the wheels the better the car performs for both acceleration and braking.
Chrome wheels:
When any wheel, alloy or steel is given a chrome finish the wheel instantly becomes more attractive. Chrome wheels in the past were expensive and rarely used; the techniques that are used today in the chrome plating industry are very different than they once were and chrome plated wheels are now an affordable alternative to most car owners.
Chrome wheels are very popular for those who want to really “trick their ride” as they say, as they shine and are very reflective they are used as attention getters. A chrome finish also adds to the surface durability of the car wheel rims, they are less prone to oxidization, or in the case of steel wheels; rust.
Although alloy wheels, chrome plated or not, are beautiful and do have advantages, they also require more maintenance. Because the wheels are finished well, any abrasion caused by coming into contact with a curb is instantly noticeable. This fact alone means that the car owners will have to periodically have the surfaces repaired to keep the wheels in “as new” condition.
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