lightweight plastic (GRP) wheels coming

[masraum]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/industry/plastic-wheels-coming-to-production-cars/

So, how long before you all are replacing your Fuchs??

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally posted by The Article
......allow manufacturers to simulate tests for the wheels

only if they can promise that DYING from an accident will be a simulation....

[DARISC]

Can't help but wonder if these interesting wheels were made using gravity or pressure.

Also, have they been tested by an industry accepted lab to obtain objective results?

[Quicksilver]

It is pretty obvious that you can use different materials to make wheels so why not fiberglass composited with plastic for general putt-putt driving around. When designing composites you only are interested in the tensile strength from the fiber. The only strength characteristic of the matrix that is of interest is its ability to deal with a compression load.

So far so good... It is all doable.
I just want to know what happens to the matrix when it is subjected to brake heat when you really start to drive the car. "Sorry sir, the warranty doesn't cover melting on mountain roads."

[scottbombedout]

I'm in for 17inch with polished rim, pink petals as long as they are TUV tested by a guy in the Philippines and they will clear the arches in my existing 13inch wheeled Mini without having to roll the arches.

Oh and can I have a group buy and be in there at the original purchase price.

Have I forgot anything?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Plastic belongs on kids' toys - not cars.

I'll stick with my fuchs. I'd possibly consider carbon fiber, but even that would be tough for me to stomach.

[cowtown]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Plastic belongs on kids' toys - not cars.

I guess I don't get the gut-level resistance to making wheels with plastics. Composites are all over the place on aircraft, even though everything was metal for decades.

I wonder if the same things were said when Porsche went to plastic intake manifolds, headlights, and fuel tanks. (I'm just making a general analogy here...I realize that wheels are stressed and manifolds aren't...I'm just addressing the instant "plastic's only for toys" statements).

Things change...and improve. It's possible these things will be as strong as Fuchs and weigh half as much.

[Moses]

Plastic wheels? FANTASTIC!

If they can be made strong enough they will be light and relatively inexpensive. What would demand be for a 5 pound wheel?

[TimothyFarrar]

Anyone have an idea on how they are manufacturing such a wheel?

[island911]

Originally posted by DARISC
Can't help but wonder if these interesting wheels were made using gravity or pressure.

Yes, lots of pressure. A typical injection molded kids toy is made with a couple tons of pressure.

Those concerned with composite wheels should conside the fact that the tires are a plastic (fiber reinforced) composite.

That said, people will still make bad (bling & cost-driven) material/process decisions with composites, just as they do with other materials/processes. For example, CF would be a bad choice from a toughness standpoint, yet a good choice from a consumer perception stand point. (wheels need to be tough . . CF is NOT tough) Hybrid wheels may contain CF with good results...but thats a whole other topic.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yea I see both sides. Personally I could see them being of value where performance only is the consideration, since they'd be lighter. OTOH, for a show-off/collectable/personal use kind of car, I think part of the experience is to minimize the "cheapo" pieces as much as possible. Modern cars (including my SLK) that have a lot of electronics, plastic and composite parts, etc. can certainly be useful and interesting and fun, but I just don't think they rise to the level of "automobile" in the classical sense.

You look at older vehicles from the 20s and 30s and just go "wow" - the quality of construction is so much better and solid looking/feeling. I'm weird like that.

The new stuff might be lighter and more modern, but it just doesn't have the same emotive quality. Just my $0.02.

[island911]

You do make a good call there.... those plastic wheels are rather toy-like. A glass filled thermoplastic is kinda "cheap" (even though the tooling for an injection molded wheel is approaching that of a forged Fuchs . . tooling having to support a couple tons of force for every square inch of surface area.)

However, in keeping with automotive 'art' there exists some very cool composite structures . .wheels included.

[island911]

Originally posted by TimothyFarrar
Anyone have an idea on how they are manufacturing such a wheel?

it looks like either a glass filled thermoplastic (injection molded) or a glass filled thermoset (RIM - reaction injection molded)

Either way, it's not like someone is just pouring molten plastic into a cheap mold, à la Choclate Easter Bunny technology.

[svandamme]

if they can make the wheels from plastic, what's stopping them from making the chassis from plastic too??

ffwd couple of 10 years, and we'll see Car kit's come in a big box, like 1:10 Revell toy models kit's arrive now... just get out yer hack saw to get all the parts loose and start glueing your new , light, enviromentally conscience electromobile

[djmcmath]

I think Stijn's on to something, there. Quick, get a patent!

(ahem)

The unfortunate part is that technology isn't always pretty. I see a huge profit in the inventor's future, though -- performs better (sells for more), but is easier to produce (costs less) means bigger profit margins.

Will I buy a set? Maybe I won't be the first guy at the track with these, but I'm down with any technology that reduces unsprung weight without sacrificing safety.

[Milu]

Originally posted by svandamme
if they can make the wheels from plastic, what's stopping them from making the chassis from plastic too??

ffwd couple of 10 years, and we'll see Car kit's come in a big box, like 1:10 Revell toy models kit's arrive now... just get out yer hack saw to get all the parts loose and start glueing your new , light, enviromentally conscience electromobile

Didn't Lotus already do it and put it together with superglue?

[nota]

F-1 cars are mostly plastic as are sports racers indy and cart ect

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Milu
Didn't Lotus already do it and put it together with superglue?

i think that many manufacturers these days use bonding agents one metal/metal joints on chassis..

Originally posted by nota
F-1 cars are mostly plastic as are sports racers indy and cart ect

Carbon Fiber isn't a plastic...whole different ball park

CF is fibers's , carefully placed, and then resin added, vacuum and a bake

plastic isn't a composit
and the material itself has to provide strength

[island911]

Originally posted by svandamme
i think that many manufacturers these days use bonding agents one metal/metal joints on chassis..




Carbon Fiber isn't a plastic...whole different ball park

CF is fibers's , carefully placed, and then resin added, vacuum and a bake

plastic isn't a composit
and the material itself has to provide strength

I taught a class on engineering plastics. You would have gotten that "what's a plastic" question marked with a big red pen. . . and no extra credit for your confident maner.

[svandamme]

please explain

coz, last time i checked, carbon fiber ,is not based on anything to do with polymers

and as for composite, in this terminology, i would think plastic is not a composite ,


"Composite materials (or composites for short) are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure."


CF is still 2 separate components bonded to form one part and plastic is 1 component, chemical composite maybe, but not a composite material