A ‘mag wheel’ technically refers to a magnesium wheel, although they are now generally combined with other alloys in today’s market. Any aftermarket wheel not provided by the original manufacturer is also referred to as a ‘mag wheel’ within and outside of New Zealand. For the purposes of this article by Grip Tyres & Wheels, we will explore the two main types of Mag wheels that remain popular today – the cast alloy, and the forged alloy. Find out more about these wheels and their benefits, below.
Cast Alloy Magnesium Wheels
There are three different methods for casting Mag wheels to guarantee a lightweight and durable construction.
- Gravity Casting – Molten alloy is poured into a mould to create a sturdy, affordable magnesium wheel.
- Low-Pressure Casting – Molten magnesium alloy is forced into a mould under low pressure conditions, creating a denser and stronger wheel. This is a more precise process than other casting methods.
- High-Pressure Die Casting – Molten alloy is injected into a mould under high pressure conditions, producing a strong and lightweight wheel, albeit to be sold at a higher price.
A cast magnesium wheel is lightweight and sturdy, though – as with all magnesium-based alloys – they do tend to be more vulnerable to corrosion than a steel wheel, for example. Nevertheless, this doesn’t diminish their performance benefits! Before innovations in the 1990s, most Formula 1 racing Mag wheels were die cast.
Forged Alloy Magnesium Wheels
Forged magnesium wheels have become the go-to choice for modern vehicle owners, and there are also two different methods for forging a Mag wheel in this way.
- One-Piece Forged – A single piece of alloy is heated and pressed into shape to create a high-performance Mag wheel, perfect for racing vehicles as they are extremely strong and lightweight.
- Multi-Piece Forged – Two or three separate pieces of the wheel are forged and welded together. This provides vehicle owners with greater aesthetic customisation, ideal for high-end vehicles.
Forged wheels provide great heat dissipation, and better absorb bumps and shocks on the road. Their lightweight construction also provides faster acceleration and more responsive handling – perfect for the vehicle owner that wants to push their car to its limits in a safe, enjoyable way.
For premium tyre and wheel services that improve your vehicle's quality and performance, get in touch with Grip Tyres & Wheels—we've got all your needs covered! Our Mag wheels are a great investment, offering undeniable benefits for most vehicle owners. If you're not ready to invest in Mag wheels, don't worry! We also offer new tyres, steel wheels, puncture repairs and a wheel alignment service.
