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'Magnesium alloy wheels', or 'mag wheels', are sometimes used on racing cars, in place of heavier steel or aluminium wheels, for better performance. The wheels are produced by one-step hot forging from magnesium alloys ZK60 and MA-14 (Russian variation of ZK60). Cast magnesium disks are used in motocycle wheels.
The weight of typical magnesium automotive wheel is about 8–12 kg (depending on model).
Magnesium wheels are inflammable and have been banned in some forms of motorsport in the UK following fires which are very difficult to extinguish. Mag wheels have been known to catch fire in competition use after a punctured tyre has allowed prolonged scraping of the wheel on the road surface. Rumours say that Magnesium wheels have low corrosion resistance; this is not the case as long as construction and production rules are followed.
They have the disadvantages of being rather expensive and difficult to recycle, so are not practical for most street vehicles. Aluminium wheels are often mistakenly called "mag wheels".

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See also

See also

★ Auto racing

★ Alloy wheels