Flow forming technology is one of the most advanced manufacturing technologies to enter the wheel industry. Flow Forming Technology involves the application of pressure to the inner barrel of the wheel, while spinning and after it has been casted. This process stretches and compresses the aluminum, which increases tensile strength. In this respect the process shares similar properties to those found in the forging process. The final product is lighter, stronger, has increased elongation, and a much greater shock resistance as well as the ability to increase load capacity over a traditional cast wheel (of the same design).
1: THE FLOW-FORMED PROCESS APPLIES PRESSURE ON THE INNER WHEEL WHILE SPINNING AFTER CASTING
2: THIS PROCESS STRETCHES AND COMPRESSES THE ALUMINUM, WHICH INCREASES TENSILE STRENGTH
3: THE FINAL PRODUCT IS LIGHTER, STRONGER, HAS INCREASED ELONGATION, AND GREATER SHOCK RESISTANCE
Interested in seeing more Flow Formed Wheels? Here is a link to all of the Konig Flow Formed Wheel offerings –> FLOW FORMED WHEELS
Flow Forming Technology has a great number of benefits. Konig has been producing Flow Formed wheels since 2010 and is always improving on the process and efficiency to improve the end product. Below are some visual charts for you to see the drastic benefits as it relates to elongation and tensile strength vs a regular cast wheel. The numbers used are approximate and only for general comparison. These are based off of wheels similar in styling, size, width and other specification. One wheel was a conventional cast constructed wheel and the other is developed using Flow Forming Technology.
TENSILE STRENGTH
ELONGATION
What is Elongation?
Elongation is essentially the amount of flex that an object can have before it would reach a breaking point. So you might be asking why would it be more beneficial that a Flow Formed Wheel can flex more before it could ever reach that point? Well, its important when we talk about wheels that everyone should acknowledge that wheels are metal not magic.
While that may be a humorous line its incredibly true. We only build wheels to the highest quality. Konig places every wheel design through a very strict testing standard and build each design to load ratings which are in excess of what is needed for that design’s target vehicles. However, any wheel, regardless of whether it’s an aftermarket wheel or the original factory wheel, has a breaking point. Severe impact and the stress impacts over time can push the metal to a breaking point.
So let’s get back to the benefit that we started talking about earlier. If a wheel safely has the ability to flex more before ever reaching a breaking point that will increase reliability and longevity of a wheel. This is a benefit to racers on the track as well as the road hazards of everyday use on the street. .
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
