Abstract
Weight reduction in the automobile industry is a major concern. Wheels are a key to weight saving. One way to decrease the weight of the wheel is to reduce the thickness. Differents means are possible : use steels with higher resistance, use stamping sequences which permit benefit in fatigue resistance, use new designs for the wheels.
For this purpose, new steels have been developed for wheel discs and rims. The stamping sequence of the wheel disc has a big influence on the fatigue resistance. A well designed stamping sequence can double or triple the fatigue life. An enormous benefit can be made with the use of a stamping sequence adapted to a high strength steel grade. New designs of wheel also permits a substantial weight saving to be obtained.