What to choose for your car: stamped discs or cast?

Any owner of a car at least once thought about what drives will be optimal for his "iron horse". Of course, cast models will provide the car with a vivid memory. However, experts say that stamped discs have their advantages, and the choice should be based on personal feelings. Let's conduct a small comparative analysis of "casting" and "punching". Perhaps this will help form your own opinion on this issue.

Methods of manufacture and materials

Cast wheels are called because of the way they are made. The molten metal is poured into the prepared form. As a material, alloys are used, the basis of which is aluminum or magnesium. Stamped disks are assembled from two elements. They are connected by spot welding. The material that is used is sheet steel. Stamped disks have a lower cost than cast ones. The composition of the material from which they are made determines their main distinctive properties.

Characteristic differences of cast discs

As already mentioned, for many car enthusiasts the decisive factor when buying cast discs is an attractive appearance. This is not their only advantage. Used in the manufacture of metals can reduce the total weight of the product. This gives a small fuel economy when driving. In addition, the lightweight wheel quickly returns to its original position after contact with the roughness of the road surface. This improves the handling of the car. However, it is very difficult to notice such improvements, and only the professional driver can. There are cast wheels and flaws. They have a more brittle structure than stamped disks. Steel from impact is deformed, and a cast disk can crack or form a chip. Hidden cracks pose a danger to the driver and passengers. Such a cast disk can simply split when hit in a road pit and trigger an accident. You can restore the cast wheel. Such services are provided in some repair shops. However, if the hardness of the disk is damaged, the similar product can not be repaired.

What is characteristic of stamped disks?

It is these wheels that car manufacturers often establish for their products. Although they do not relate to the pride of artists, designers, many of them consider quite practical. The most common in Russia since the times of the Soviet automotive industry are stamped disks R13. However, some motorists are confident that a larger radius increases the handling and patency of the car. Therefore, they try to maximize the size of the wheels. Stamped R14 wheels on the WHA help in this case to find a perfect way out. Speaking about the advantages of steel wheels, it is necessary to note their high maintainability. Dents on the disk are easy to straighten. In addition, the rim of the disc is able to partially extinguish the force from a strong impact, which a rigid cast construction can not do. This positively affects the condition of the running gear of the car. The negative aspects include the fact that stamped discs are prone to corrosion and require careful care.