Carbon fibre road wheels? 2

[Peter7307]

Many years ago Citroen produced carbon fibre road wheels for their rally programme. The car was the SM.
Given the advances in materials of this nature in the meantime it surprises me no one markets wheels of this material now.
Any thoughts and / or opinions?

Pete.

 

[Dave K]

These aren't full carbon, but close:

http://www.autovelocityinc.com/wheels.htm

-Dave
Everything should be designed as simple as possible, but not simpler.

 

[NickE]

There are companies marketing "Carbon Fibre" wheels, it seems however that not much weight savings resulted. Here is a link to a discussion on a large automotive BBS.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=558997

There is an additional link on the third page of that thread that has more info....

Try googling.

 

[swall]

Years ago, I saw some prototypes of carbon composite aircraft wheels. Big problem was that they were not air tight and had to be impregnated, just like a bad casting.

 

[Peter7307]

Thanks to all who replied.
I wil follow the links posted.
Cheers , Pete.

 

[rpmag]

one of the australian FSAE teams made their own carbon wheels

 

[jons999]

The last time i researched carbon fiber wheels i learned that due to the brittleness of carbon fiber they wouldn't be very safe for street use, they tend to crack or shatter whereas a conventional wheel would bend. They may be good for a drag racing application though.

-Jon

 

[Warpspeed]

jons999 raises an interesting point. What happens when a tyre blows out and comes right off the wheel ?

Steel wheels are excellent in that regard, but what happens to a composite wheel with no tyre at speed ?

 

[kurtis714]

I know of a british company (I think) called Dymag making carbon wheels for motorcycles. The site says they're approved for road use. I've seen bikes riding round with them on anyway.


Kurtis.

 

[R1100S]

There are a number of companies making carbon rims for motorcycles. Dymag and a number of others. They come in full carbon, or carbon hoops with either alum or mag spokes. They are street legal. I think they are more common for bikes since you notice the decrease in inertia more. The problem of course, as mentioned above, is when they go, they go big. Search the web and you can find some interesting pictures of what happens when they delaminate at speed.

 

[Dave K]

Here is another roadcar wheel, with a carbon rim, metal center:

http://www.azev.de/aktuelles/more_eng.php?artikel=carbon_eng&info=Carbon Wheel

scroll to the bottom

-Dave
Everything should be designed as simple as possible, but not simpler.

 

[carbonwheelman]

Hi All
As mentioned above an Australian Formula SAE team did produce a full composite wheel in 2004, this was a moon disc type wheel. In 2005 they produced a 5 spoke 13" wheel which proved to work very well. The spoked wheel weighed in around 1.7kg. They are now in the stages of commercialisation.

I was part of the team that produced the wheels.

Cheers

 

[Peter7307]

Thanks for the info there Carbonwheelman.
Do you know which company is considering the commercial production?
Cheers , Pete.

 

[carbonwheelman]

Hi Pete

Yes, I have just started working for them. Are you interested in composite wheels? To answer the question you first put on this thread...Yes there are many companies producing composite wheels. The main issue with producing wheels is the costs involved with making these wheels. When it comes to composites nothing is cheap. Dymag UK is selling hybrid wheels mag centre/carbon rim for around 3000 pounds each.
Rgds, Dave.

 

[Dave K]

I just heard that the automobile carbon/alloy Dymag wheels just recieved certification for road use in the USA and Europe.

-Dave
Everything should be designed as simple as possible, but not simpler.

 

[Peter7307]

Thanks for the extra information Carbonwheelman.
You are certainly right about the costs. Tempting as it is that is well beyond my budget.
Thakns again to all those who replied.
Cheers , Pete.

 

[carbonwheelman]

I really need to change that name!
I would love to give you an indication of how much we can make them for but I cant. I can say that we have made 15 prototypes so far and each have tought us something different. Do you know much about composites?
Cheers Dave.

 

[Peter7307]

Hi Dave, (Is that better?)
Thanks for the info and I appreciate the fact you are not able to pass on commercial details.
To be honest I am an absolute beginner and the question stems from the fact Citroen used them for one model and no others so I was guessing there were reasons.
Cheers ,Pete.

 

[jandreas]

are truck wheels but they have had TUV certification for 2+ years.

 

[Hydroformer]

Carbon-Fiber rims need tweels...

http://www.michelinman.com/difference/releases/pressrelease01102005a.html

*Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.*

Hydroformer