Alumina wheels?

[wingman]

it doesn't prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the wheels are in fact made of it. that's one reason i posted the last link about them possibly being made of ALON. However, using the sintering process described and throwing in massive amounts of cash the possiblity of making a set of 4 wheels is not out of the question. That's why I said i believe that those wheels are a proof of concept....if that's the case that 350Z is probably owned by someone who was directly involved in the project.

however, it is also possible that they are made out of lexan....along with a numerous number of other possible materials. The only reason I am led to believe it's alumina is because of hearsay from several engineering message boards. One of them linked to a site with small sized blocks for sale, which I've been trying to find but can't. All I remember is that they were horrendously expensive. If anyone here can find them I'd appreciate it.

 

[johnathan1]

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...ansparent+alumina&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off

Scroll down a bit.

 

[johnathan1]

http://www.advancednanotechnology.com/alusion.php

Click the different products (including Alumina) wow, they even make makeup with it!

 

[Boostedstr8six]

It really is just a photochop that someone spent a decent amount of time on who takes pride in their work and felt the need to show off. IMO

 

[tubbie]

Or... it could be made with plexiglass and used at car shows only. Probably only rolls it on and off the trailer for car shows.

 

[NashMan]

they make lexan ones as well sean thous around

 

[Steve_N]

i read something of this sort...its like a transparent aluminum, way stronger than glass and much lighter...very cool. i think i saw it in popular science or something...

F&@K The wheels!! Put it to proper use & make a clear Targa Top. :aigo:

 

[Clip]

meh, this thread is getting interesting. i don't think its a photoshop, could be, but im leaning towards the actual thing or the lexan option somone mentioned.

 

[PROJECT N00b]

is lexan that strong?...anyways screw the T-Top make the whole body like that! lol if its stronger than steel and lighter...you got a monster and plus! you can see through the whole car! like wonder woman status...thast tight.

 

[Adjuster]

Well, imagine this...

Upgrade your car by changing over to allumium "glass" and reduce the weight of your car by a substantial amount. (Glass is pretty heavy v/s transparent alluminum if it weighs similar to normal opaque alloy.)

Also safer for you, when your car is hit by another, the "glass" breaks, but the alloy would hold up better, and keep you safer as a result.

Cool beans! Next 40 years will really be interesting for sure.

 

[NashMan]

Well, imagine this...

Upgrade your car by changing over to allumium "glass" and reduce the weight of your car by a substantial amount. (Glass is pretty heavy v/s transparent alluminum if it weighs similar to normal opaque alloy.)

Also safer for you, when your car is hit by another, the "glass" breaks, but the alloy would hold up better, and keep you safer as a result.

Cool beans! Next 40 years will really be interesting for sure.

yae every one will be about 400 pounds over weight

 

[Clip]

arent you replacing your back glass with lexan or plexi, nash? howd that go?

 

[PROJECT N00b]

acutally no im not replacing the rear...i hope you know that the last question you posted was like...a thread killer haha...thats why no one posted anything...TILL NOW! teehee.

 

[whenmunkysfly]

im replaceing all my side windows on my vw golf with plexyglass so far i got onne in had two in but it broke as i was taking it out to resize it. lol

 

[Clip]

and on the third day, it rose from the dead. it ascended to the front page of general discussion, and sitteth at the right hand of IJ, the supra owner almighty.

 

[PROJECT N00b]

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

I FOUND IT!!!

 

[johnathan1]

Those wheels are awesome! Only they aren't Alumina, it says they are a hard-coated polycarbonate...but they are really cool nonetheless!

 

[JMDigital]

$5000.00 per rim! Come on!!

 

[Murd]

The same effect could be created using a hubless wheel at all 4 corners, but the engineering would be incredibly complex. Its being done on motorcycles, so why not cars though?

It has been.

http://www.osmos-wheel.com/pages/application.asp?lang=en

 

[speed]

The same effect could be created using a hubless wheel at all 4 corners, but the engineering would be incredibly complex. Its being done on motorcycles, so why not cars though?

because the manufacturing costs on each bearing for the motorcycle wheel is $10,000. So you're looking at a pure manufacturing cost of $40,000 just for the bearings. Not to mention that an automobile has a LOT more weight than a bike, so who knows if those bearings would even hold up. My guess is the sheer cost of doing something like that.