How to determine forged or cast wheels

How to distinguish a forged wheel from a cast one?

The question of how to find out whether a wheel is forged or cast worries many car owners who are planning to purchase wheels produced using forging technology. Indeed: the price of the latter is quite high, so no one wants to become a victim of scammers. It is no coincidence that forged wheels are called the prerogative of wealthy car owners: their production technology is quite complex and energy-consuming, so they are manufactured abroad for Premium class vehicles. However, in our country the situation is somewhat different, which allows us to determine the price of these products several times lower! So, if you are asking questions about the difference between forged wheels and cast wheels and which wheels are lighter: forged or cast , this article is for you!

The difference is in the production technology!

The production technology of cast and forged wheels determined the name of their types. For the manufacture of both the first and second, aluminum alloys with alloying additives are used. The difference lies precisely in the technology, which involves the use of hot die forging, hardening and artificial aging for cast wheels. All these processes allow us to achieve a material structure that will withstand loads well due to its strength and ductility! Thanks to it, forged wheels can be repaired even in situations where cast wheels cannot be restored. Even with strong impacts leading to deformation, forged wheels are not destroyed.

How to identify a forged wheel?

Despite all of the above, the question of how to determine whether a wheel is forged or cast remains relevant. So: what parameters should you pay attention to in order not to get into trouble and not overpay for a cast wheel instead of a forged one?

The weight of a forged wheel is less. So, it is up to 5 kg for a product with a diameter of 15 inches and 8 kg for a cast product of the same diameter. However, it is worth noting: this parameter may not work if we are talking about domestically produced disks that are manufactured using old technologies. In this case, Russian forging may have virtually no differences from foreign casting;
Alloy wheels have an uneven edge. Forged wheels are absolutely free of such imperfections, since their production technology provides for additional processing, and therefore ideal geometry. However, it is worth noting that alloy wheels made using the latest technologies are also free from such a disadvantage as an uneven edge;
Forged wheels have stamped or pressed lettering on them. At the same time, cast ones are distinguished by convex designations, although in this case there are exceptions;
The specifications for forged wheels from well-known manufacturers include the designation “forged”, which translates as “forged”, “stamped”.

Unfortunately, price is not always the determining factor as to whether the disc in front of you is cast or forged. This is due to the dishonesty of sellers who, knowing about this feature, often artificially inflate the cost of alloy wheels. In order to be guaranteed to purchase forged wheels, contact the Bullet company!

Which wheels are better: cast or forged?

To give the car a sporty look, in addition to spoilers and upgraded exhaust pipes, car owners often resort to equipping the vehicle with forged wheels. However, not every car enthusiast can immediately say which wheels will perform better during operation.

Forged wheels for cars

Material and manufacturing features

The way alloy wheels are produced is clear from their name - they are cast into ready-made molds. An aluminum base is used for their production. Therefore, in European countries the resulting products are simply called aluminum. Less commonly used is an alloy with the addition of magnesium.

The operational features of a cast disk differ depending on the following characteristics:

quality of the base alloy;
casting molds;
quality of final painting and processing.

Alloy wheel rims for cars

As for forged models, they differ in the technology used during production. Forged wheels are stamped in 2 stages: the first press contains a force of 10 tons, and the second - 2 times more. After the forged workpiece passes through the press, it is sent to a metal-cutting machine, where holes, spokes will be cut out, and the edges will be processed. Thus, forged products are better in quality than cast ones due to more complex production technologies. Forged models are better able to withstand impacts, rarely bend and do not break. Forging is of higher quality than conventional casting in that during processing of the workpiece, pores and holes do not form on it. And thinner walls allow the discs to weigh much less than cast models.

Some believe that it is the impact resistance that is the main disadvantage of such a disc - in the event of an impact, it will survive, but will transfer all its force to the car suspension. Because of this, the latter must be strengthened.

Forged wheel rim

How to distinguish between types of disks

Once you've determined which wheels are best, you'll want to understand how to differentiate between forged and cast models. This can be done by examining the following parameters:

Mass . The main difference between the two models. For example, a forged one with a diameter of 15 inches weighs about 4-5 kg, and a cast one of the same diameter weighs about 8 kg. By the way, when choosing products from domestic manufacturers, this parameter may not be relevant, since our factories do not use advanced technologies capable of producing truly lightweight parts using the forging method. As a result, if we compare forging from Russian manufacturers with casting from foreign companies, then in weight it will vary very insignificantly.
Form . You can even see imperfections (uneven edges) on the surface of a cast disc even with the naked eye. This is due to the fact that it is not processed on lathes and milling machines. Forging such defects is unnecessary, since after stamping the disks undergo additional processing, due to which they are characterized by the correct geometry. The only exception is ultra-modern casting. Such products, although more expensive, already have perfectly smooth edges.

Method of writing an inscription . Inscriptions on components that are produced by forging are applied by stamping and are pressed. This distinguishes them from the raised markings on models produced using casting. However, there are exceptions here too - in a model that was made to order using the forging method, convex markings can be made and vice versa.
Product specification. If you read the product documentation when purchasing, pay attention to its specifications. There, forging will be designated by the word FORGED, but this word will be present on those models that are manufactured by well-known companies. If you are dealing with a Chinese or Turkish product, any false information may be indicated there.
Price . It cannot be the determining factor. However, usually the cost of a cast model is significantly lower than a forged one. Some sellers, knowing this, deliberately increase the price.

Thus, if you want to choose which components are best installed on a car with both regular and reinforced suspension, and your budget is not too limited, choose products made by forging. They are made of better quality and are durable. But if the products are impacted, it would be a good idea to go to a service station and make sure there is no damage to the suspension.

What is the difference between cast wheels and stamped and forged ones?

Reading time: 7 minutes

Many car enthusiasts often wonder which wheels are better - cast or forged, or stamped. Many disputes are provoked by the manufacturers themselves, who often advertise their products. For this reason, a large number of stereotypes and prejudices have formed around various materials. To combat them, you need to study a lot of information.

Which wheels are better: cast, forged or stamped?

The reliability of car wheels directly depends on the material used to make them. Stamped ones are used in cheaper car models. As a rule, they are made of steel. For this purpose, rolled metal sheets with certain characteristics are used.

Car disk

Cast ones are made by pouring the prepared alloy into a special mold. With this method, manufacturers evenly fill the distance between the center and the rim, which increases the service life of the wheels. Such models are not subject to corrosion, sudden breakdowns and other troubles on the road. The disadvantages of this option include the impossibility of self-repair.

The choice of material will depend on the terrain over which the motorist plans to drive. If you can’t spend extra money, you should choose cast options, while forged ones are suitable for speed lovers. To decide whether forging, casting or stamping is better, you need to study the pros and cons of each option.

Types of disks

Advantages and disadvantages of manufacturing materials and some parameters:

Cast elements. Advantages: the load on the suspension is reduced, the disc reduces inertia during braking, and improves acceleration. Disadvantages - fragile, chips quickly appear that cannot be repaired independently. FR Design is considered one of the best manufacturing companies. On sale you can find diameters from 13 to 22 inches at an affordable price, and various color options are available.
Stamped. Advantages: they are 2-3 times cheaper than cast ones, they crumple on impact without “injuring” the suspension, crumpled or cracked discs can be repaired yourself. Disadvantages are not always an attractive appearance, high weight, which affects the car suspension, susceptibility to corrosion, which intensifies over time, this is especially noticeable in the spring, when salt and moisture on the roads corrode the metal.
Forged. Advantages: strength and light weight. Disadvantages: small selection of designs, high cost. A 14-inch wheel will cost the car owner approximately 2,500 rubles*.

What are the differences between car wheels?

Stamped models have the following parameters:

The average cost is 1000-1500 rubles per part of one wheel with a diameter of 14 inches. Their advantage is considered to be strength when falling into a hole or when encountering other irregularities.
The disadvantages include their weight.
Among the disadvantages, many also cite cost and appearance.

Cast parts are made from aluminum or magnesium alloys. These materials significantly reduce the weight of the wheel. This property will help you decide how to distinguish forged wheels from cast ones. The most popular size of the cast element is 14 inches, costing about 3000-4000 rubles. The disc is quite fragile and can crack if it falls into a hole, in which case this type of wheel cannot be restored. However, as surveys of car enthusiasts show, neither the high price nor the low service life reduce the popularity of such wheel elements.

Forged options have a long service life and a large margin of safety. Many experts call low weight another advantage.

How to distinguish forged car wheels from steel ones

Not entirely honest sellers take advantage of the buyer’s ignorance of the characteristics and appearance of the discs, but a fake can be determined mainly by weight. The average weight of a steel disk should not exceed 4-5 kg with a diameter of 15 inches, but a forged one with the same diameter will already weigh 7-8 kg. The described difference will allow you to correctly determine the material of the disk.

The second difference is based on the fact that the edge of the forged part may be slightly uneven and rough. This happens because during the production process, the blanks of this part of the wheel are further processed on a lathe, while steel ones do not undergo this procedure, and, accordingly, their surface will be even and smooth. It is worth paying attention to the nature of the application of brand inscriptions. On steel parts they will be more voluminous, and on forged parts they will be extruded on the surface.

The main characteristics of forged rims are as follows:

long service life;
low weight;
attractive appearance;
does not “injure” the vehicle’s chassis;
allows you to repair any damage.

Forged version

To determine the exact differences before purchasing, it is a good idea to study the specifics of the product.

Typically the labeling includes the following information:

Rim width is the first number on the line indicating the distance between the inner parts of the rim in inches.
Edge type - shows the shape of the edge of the rim, i.e. where the wheel and rim meet.
Connectivity - indicated by the symbols “x” and “-”. The first of them means that the rim is one-piece, and the second shows that it can be easily assembled and disassembled.
Mounting diameter - the size of the mounting rim for the tire.
Annular protrusions or rolls are located on both sides of the metal part of the wheel and are used to block the outflow of air when there is external pressure on the cover. The additional function of these mounts is to secure the tire to the rim.
Disc overhang is the interval between the point of contact of the structure with the hub and the center of the disc cross-section.
The diameter of the mounting hole - the central hole, is usually indicated in millimeters. This factor for passenger cars ranges from 50 to 70 mm. It is necessary that the diameter exactly matches the seating belt of the car hub.

This is important during high-speed driving, a sudden stop, or when entering a sharp turn, because in a situation, for example, with a problem engine, you can always call a tow truck and get home by taxi, but in the case of a disk failure while driving you will have to deal with it immediately to avoid numerous traffic problems.

What is the difference between cast wheels and stamped ones?

To understand whether cast or stamped wheels are better, you need to decide on their main characteristics and decide for yourself which ones each motorist needs.

Comparison of cast and stamped wheels:

Stamped ones are heavier than cast ones, which allows for better vehicle control.
Cast ones are not afraid of high humidity, while stamped ones are sensitive to any external phenomena. However, during production, their surface is coated with a special paint that protects the disc from the harmful effects of the external environment.
The stamped one is softer and more flexible, so if it hits an uneven surface, the disc will bend but not crack, while the cast one will break beyond repair.
The stamped element can be restored manually, using a hammer, but in case of serious damage you will have to contact service.

When deciding what to choose, casting or stamping, special attention should be paid to the surface of the rim.

Which car wheels are lighter: forged or cast?

Forged ones are much lighter than cast ones. This is observed due to the fact that during the forging process, “extra” parts are removed from the disks, after which decorative figures of various shapes are cut out on them. Thanks to this form of execution, the wheels have thin walls.

The formula for producing forged wheels is as follows:

The blank is made by stamping it on two presses with different forces of 10 and 20 tons.
Next, the forging is carried out through a metal-cutting machine.
Using a machine, holes and spokes are made on the surface of the wheels.

How to determine whether a wheel is forged or cast

When choosing forged or cast wheels, you should pay attention to some characteristic features of the first option.

These include:

lighter weight (usually no more than 5 kg);
flat and smooth surface of the part;
presence of stamped inscriptions on the surface.

Although there is now a statement that a car is not a luxury, but a means of transportation, it still requires a lot of maintenance. This is especially true for the wheels of the “iron horse”. Their main part can be called disks, because they are essentially the “skeleton” of the wheel to which the tires are attached. When choosing the material from which the disk is made, it is important to pay attention to its strength, giving preference to a long service life.

*Prices are current as of December 2018.

Visual difference between forged wheels and cast wheels

Selection of discs in the store. How not to be deceived and buy casting under the guise of forging.

Both forging and casting are light alloy wheels, the former are lighter, stronger, but more expensive, the latter have elegant and futuristic shapes and an attractive price. Sometimes casting is sold under the guise of forging. How to distinguish one from the other and not make a mistake with the choice?

From the outside, the forged disk has more strict shapes formed by processing the metal with milling cutters.
Square knitting needles. Alloy wheels have smoother transitions. The spokes are rounded. A forged wheel in the rear part has a hub part where holes are drilled for fasteners - the area is flat, there are cylindrical releases to lighten the disk - these are formed by drilling.

Cast discs have larger releases than forged discs and are formed by the configuration of the casting mold. The releases are oval, and there are other shapes. The knitting needles have grooves on the reverse side along the entire length of the knitting needle. In the recesses of the spokes there are information inscriptions indicating the standard size, offset, and certification data.

Pay attention to these external features - this will help you make the right choice, which will delight you for many kilometers of the car. By the way, wheels with Flof Forming technology (rolling) often have the words “Forged” - but such a wheel cannot be considered forged; in the standard sense, they are not monoblock stamped wheels. Here is an example below of how a disk is labeled Monobloc Forged, but upon closer examination it has nothing in common with monoblock forged wheels and has all the signs of cast wheels.