US company Alcoa used the American Trucking Association’s (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition in Florida to unveil a new lightweight alloy called MagnaForce.
The new material is said to be 16.5 per cent stronger than Alcoa’s 6061 alloy, making it the “most advanced aluminium wheel alloy in 45 years.”
The company will use MagnaForce to manufacture wheels for commercial transportation, where lighter weight products that increase fuel efficiency are in high demand.
“Alcoa is making truck wheel history with our innovative aluminium material,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “No manufacturer has produced a wheel with an alloy superior to Alcoa’s 6061 material. Our MagnaForce alloy today opens the door to production of the strongest, lightest wheels to increase fleet payload, improve fuel efficiency and enhance sustainability.”
Alcoa expects to introduce a new, state-of-the-art wheel featuring the alloy in early 2014.