As fleets seek to optimize the weight and fuel economy of their equipment and lower costs, manufacturing processes are enabling lighter steel and aluminum wheel offerings. "To help our customers achieve greater fuel economy while maintaining superior levels of safety and performance, we are offering advanced, lighter weight steel wheel technology," Accuride president and CEO Rick Dauch said.
Beginning last April, Accuride began offering new two- and five-hand-hole versions of its Accu-Lite 22.5 x 8.25 steel wheels. The wheels are each 3 lbs. lighter than the manufacturer's previous models, and the company said its five-hand-hole version is the first 65-lb. steel wheel for commercial vehicles.
Both new Accuride steel wheels available in white, black and gray feature the company's Steel Armor coating technology for finish and corrosion-resistant performance and are backed by a new five-year warranty against corrosion. Fleets also have the option of ordering the wheels with Accuride's proprietary EverSteel technology.
Accuride's confidence in the corrosion-resistant properties of its Steel Armor and EverSteel technologies is reflected in new warranties on the steel wheels manufactured with the coatings after January 1 of this year. Included is a standard five-year warranty on wheels with the Steel Armor powder topcoat and eight-year coverage against corrosion for wheels with the EverSteel coating when used in combination with Accuride's Wheel Guard separator.
In the third quarter of this year, Accuride will offer its new Quantum 99 aluminum alloy wheels. According to the company, Quantum 99 is 20% stronger than Accuride's previous alloy, enabling an 11%weight reduction, or 5 lbs. less per 40-lb. wheel in a 22.5 x 8.25-in. model.
In response to a growing demand for lighter vehicles, Maxion Wheels recently launched a new forged aluminum commercial vehicle wheel product line. Available to fleets through aftermarket channels, the aluminum wheels are offered in 22.5 x 8.25, 24.5 x 8.25, 17.5 x 6.75 and 22.5 x 14 in. sizes. Standard on the new aluminum wheels is a bright-machined finish and polishing is also available. A five-year limited warranty is included.
"Maxion Wheels' wheel product strategies will continue to focus on minimizing corrosion, reducing weight, and offering more styling alternatives," said Donald Polk, president of Maxion Wheels, Americas. "By adding forged aluminum to our product mix, our steel wheel commercial vehicle customers now have a one-stop alternative for their wheel needs."
Arconic, makers of Alcoa aluminum wheels, rolled out its aluminum wheel alloy in 2013, which it said opened the door for lighter weight wheels at increased strength with the same corrosion-resistant characteristics as the industry standard 6061 alloy. It noted that MagnaForce, the lightweight alloy, is on average 17% stronger in similar applications.
One year later, Alcoa unveiled the 22.5 x 8.25-in. Ultra ONE Wheel with MagnaForce weighing 40 lbs. The company said it is 47% lighter than steel wheels of the same size. The Ultra ONE Wheel family was expanded in 2016 to include 22.5 x 14, 24.5 x 8.25 and 22.5 x 9 in. sizes.
"We're using the MagnaForce alloy to manufacture wheels for commercial vehicles where lighter weight products that increase fuel efficiency and improve freight efficiency are in high demand," said Brian Thomas, marketing communications manager at Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products. "Within the trucking market, as suppliers look to find ways to identify fuel- and freight-efficient operating strategies, advancements in wheel engineering continue to accelerate."
