Applications of Aluminum Alloy Hubs

The manufacturing of foreign automotive aluminum alloy hubs has evolved from sand casting to aluminum alloy integral hubs, and these hubs became widely used in ordinary cars after World War II. The rapid development of automotive aluminum alloy hubs began in the 1970s, when the foreign automobile industry started adopting aluminum alloy production technology on a large scale, making aluminum alloy hubs an indispensable part of the automobile industry.
 

Before introducing automotive aluminum alloy hubs, it is important to understand their basic structure. The hub is a thin part with uniform thick wall in a cup-shaped part, playing a crucial part in automobile safety. It is affected not only by the vehicle's mass but also by the dynamic torque generated during vehicle startup and the irregular alternating stress from road obstacles or running vehicles. Hubs can be classified into steel and aluminum hubs. Aluminum alloy hubs have gained market and consumer preference due to their good rigidity, elasticity, high precision, and light weight. Iron hubs are low-cost, heavy, easily disturbed, and corroded by the external environment, and lack good appearance. However, they are durable and have a long service life. With the development of industrial technology, aluminum alloy hubs have become the most popular, outperforming iron hubs. Additionally, aluminum alloy hubs are very suitable for long-distance use due to their good heat dissipation. However, the manufacturing cost of aluminum alloy is higher than that of steel, making it generally suitable for high-end models that improve road safety, save energy, and reduce emissions.
 

Aluminum alloy hubs come in many types and structures, with requirements varying by model. Strength and precision are their most basic common requirements. Market research indicates that hubs should have reasonable materials and dimensions, complete tire functions, be interchangeable with tires, suitable for international use, have minimal longitudinal and lateral swing during transmission, low loss measurement, sufficient strength, rigidity and stability, good tire separation, and durability. The production process should meet the requirements of stable quality, low cost, wide variety, and large-scale production.
 

Aluminum alloy hubs are lighter than traditional steel hubs, accounting for only 65% to 75% of the weight of steel hubs. Since the hub itself is lightweight, its inertia decreases during rotation, thereby improving the vehicle's acceleration performance. Reducing the weight allows the vehicle to rotate faster on its four hubs, thereby improving acceleration performance.
 

The application of aluminum alloy hubs improves the vehicle's acceleration performance, greatly reduces fuel consumption during braking, and has a significant energy-saving effect. Reducing fuel consumption is essential for energy conservation in the automotive industry. Using aluminum alloy hubs helps reduce vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, decreases the vehicle's demand for braking energy, and lowers fuel consumption.
 

Compared to traditional steel hubs, the production process of aluminum alloy hubs is more refined, achieving better hub separation, a more stable center of gravity, and reduced body vibration. Aluminum alloy inherently has good vibration performance, reducing the vibration range by 13% compared to traditional steel hubs. Traditional steel hubs, primarily made from cold-rolled and hot-rolled welded steel, cause significant body vibration when the vehicle is running at high speed. In producing aluminum alloy hubs, CNC equipment is used to precisely control various parameters, ensuring good balance, improving vehicle safety and comfort, and significantly enhancing driving performance.
 

The car generates heat from two sources: the friction between the tire and the ground and the internal heat from the brake. The high temperature inside the tire increases the risk of a blowout when driving at high speed. However, aluminum alloy hubs can effectively dissipate heat. Aluminum alloy reduces friction between the hub and the ground, significantly lowering the hub's working temperature, which helps maintain an appropriate system temperature, keeps the vehicle in good working condition, and reduces the risk of a tire burst.
 

When cars with traditional steel hubs are driven at high speed, the hubs can deform significantly, increasing the risk of driving hazards and endangering passenger safety. Aluminum alloy hubs improve the vehicle's braking efficiency, greatly extend the service life of brake discs and tires, and ensure vehicle safety. Additionally, flat tires are usually installed on aluminum alloy hubs, which, unlike traditional steel hubs, are less prone to dents even on rough surfaces. Cars equipped with aluminum alloy hubs offer improved safety and comfort, meeting people's pursuit of comfort and enhancing their quality of life.
 

The aesthetics of the hub significantly impact the car's overall image. Currently, the design of car hubs is a key issue that cannot be ignored in car styling. The shape of the hub is directly related to the quality and level of the car's body design. Therefore, designing the shape of the hub with distinctive style characteristics and aesthetic appeal has become a common concern for hub manufacturers and designers. The production process of aluminum alloy hubs differs from that of steel hubs. Different designs and shapes enhance the perfection and beauty of the hubs. Various patterns can be designed and processed, and different colors can be achieved through surface treatment or electroplating to meet the aesthetic preferences of different users.