Common Motors has filed a patent software for wheels produced from a mix of steel and composite materials, which the automaker claims might scale back weight and supplies value.

Most production-car wheels are produced from aluminum or metal, and are often solid or solid as a single piece. The patent software, which was revealed by the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Oct. 10, proposes two-piece wheels produced from steel and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite.

Common Motors hybrid steel and composite wheel patent picture

As described within the software, the wheel barrel could be steel, whereas the wheel face and spokes could be produced from FRP, which might embrace carbon fiber as a part of its composition. The spokes is also made hole, making room for steel inserts for added stiffness.

The steel barrel and composite could possibly be hooked up utilizing adhesive, steel fasteners, or by over-molding the composite piece. On this case, materials would circulation into pre-made holes or slots within the steel wheel barrel because the composite piece is molded into form.

Common Motors hybrid steel and composite wheel patent picture

Some efficiency automobiles, together with GM’s personal Chevrolet Corvette Z06, already supply carbon-fiber wheels which are lighter than equal steel wheels. However GM believes the hybrid design will present higher impression resistance, sturdiness, and repairability by holding the extra damage-prone barrel part steel.

These wheels would even have an look just like all-carbon-fiber wheels, together with the potential for exposed-carbon spokes, in response to GM, including that the composite wheel face gives extra freedom to designers. However whereas it looks as if a wise compromise, there isn’t any assure {that a} hybrid-material wheel will attain manufacturing. Patent purposes will not be product plans.