Titanium Wheel Bolts

Titanium wheel bolts, the core fasteners connecting wheels to hubs and axles, offer overwhelming advantages in density, strength, and corrosion resistance. With a density of only approximately 60% that of steel, they significantly reduce unsprung mass. Their tensile strength reaches 800-1200 MPa, far exceeding that of ordinary steel. They also possess exceptional resistance to acid, alkali, and salt spray corrosion, effectively withstanding harsh environments like rain, snow, and road de-icing agents.

Lightweight titanium wheel bolts reduce wheel rotational inertia, improving acceleration response and braking efficiency, indirectly reducing fuel consumption. In the racing and modified car markets, their lightweight advantages are maximized. Every weight reduction in a bolt translates into improved handling precision and breakthrough race results. Furthermore, titanium alloy’s unique metallic luster and texture make it a crucial element for enhancing detailed details in vehicle exterior modifications.

Manufacturing Titanium Wheel Bolts

The material used to manufacture titanium wheel bolts fundamentally determines their performance. Currently, mainstream titanium wheel bolt materials fall into two main categories:

α+β titanium alloys, exemplified by Ti-6Al-4V (TC4), are the most widely used titanium alloy grades. In the annealed state, they boast a tensile strength exceeding 900 MPa and a yield strength exceeding 800 MPa. They also possess excellent fatigue strength and impact toughness, enabling them to withstand the alternating loads and impacts associated with high-speed wheel rotation.

β-type titanium alloys, exemplified by Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al, achieve a tensile strength of 1200-1400 MPa after aging treatment. These high-strength titanium alloys are suitable for manufacturing titanium wheel bolts for racing vehicles, where strength requirements are extremely high and they can withstand the enormous loads encountered in extreme driving conditions.

CNC Turning

Wstitanium uses CNC lathes for contour machining, completing processes such as end turning, external cylindrical forming, and step cutting. Key dimensions, such as screw head thickness and shank diameter, are guaranteed to maintain tolerances within ±0.01mm.

Precision Thread Machining

Threads are the core functional structure of wheel screws. CNC thread milling replaces traditional tapping. A customized thread milling cutter moves along a pre-set spiral path, producing ISO-compliant fine threads (common sizes are M12×1.5 and M14×1.5) in a single operation. This technology not only ensures thread profile accuracy (tolerance grade 6H) and surface roughness (Ra ≤ 1.6μm), but also prevents thread breakage during tapping due to the high toughness of titanium alloy.

Head Feature Machining

CNC milling is used to create head grooves (such as hexagon sockets and hexagon sockets) or flanges, depending on design requirements. CNC machining utilizes a high-speed spindle (up to 10,000 rpm) and a minimal lubrication system to ensure efficiency while reducing friction between the tool and the workpiece.

Surface Treatment

Surface treatment utilizes plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technology to form a 5-10μm thick oxide ceramic film on the screw surface. This coating not only improves corrosion resistance (withstanding over 1,000 hours in a neutral salt spray test) but also increases surface hardness (HV ≥ 500), reducing wear during assembly.

Some titanium wheel bolts utilize PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating technology to deposit a 1-3μm thick layer of TiN (titanium nitride) or TiAlN (titanium aluminum nitride) on the screw surface. This coating not only further enhances corrosion and wear resistance but also comes in a variety of colors, such as gold and black, to meet personalized customization needs.

Applications of Titanium Wheel Screws

The application scenarios of titanium wheel screws closely match their performance advantages. From ordinary civilian cars to professional racing cars, from daily commuting to extreme sports, their lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant properties demonstrate their unique value in various fields.

Modified Cars

Modified cars are a core application market for titanium wheel screws. Exterior modifications emphasize detail and personalization. The metallic luster and diverse surface treatments of titanium wheel screws meet the needs of various modification styles. The high strength of titanium wheel screws is also fully utilized in modified racing events such as drag racing and slalom racing, reducing the risk of failure under high-stress conditions.

Professional Racing

In top-tier racing events such as Formula One, the WRC (World Rally Championship), and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, titanium wheel screws are essential high-performance components. Racing cars have taken lightweighting to the extreme. A set of eight screws for four wheels weighs only 64-80g, enabling faster response during starting, acceleration, and braking.

Endurance racing places stringent demands on the fatigue resistance and reliability of titanium wheel screws. The 24 Hours of Le Mans requires cars to reach speeds exceeding 300km/h and endure harsh environments such as rain, oil, and high temperatures. Titanium wheel screws, with their excellent fatigue strength and corrosion resistance, prevent wheel hub detachment due to screw failure.