CEC Wheels explains the difference between forged and cast wheels.

(Photo by Autoguide.com)

CEC Wheels released an article that was interesting and informing. CEC was kind enough to post a quick article about the construction methods of both casting and forging aluminum wheels.

"The casting process involves pouring or injecting molten aluminum into a mold containing a cavity with the desired shape of the wheel. This allows for greater design flexibility and higher production volume compared to a forged wheel. Until recently, most wheels have been gravity cast (heavier and thicker). Today, low pressure casting techniques are used to substantially reduce porosity and mass. Cast wheels are generally designed larger and heavier in order to achieve acceptable load rating for a given application."

"CEC Forged wheels are manufactured in multiple steps compared to the one step in the casting process. Forged wheels have greater structural integrity and less mass, and usually cost substantially more than cast wheels due to the multiple processes and complicated machinery involved. While forged wheels are typically reserved for high performance vehicles where the reduction in rotating mass and unsprung weight is desired to increase performance, our CEC Forged wheels are built to order for nearly any vehicle."

Remember, you learn somrthing new everyday, and thanks to CEC Wheels, I developed another wrinkle in my brain.