Abstract
M.Ing.
This dissertation investigates the fatigue and monotonic tensile properties of cast aluminium
alloy wheels in various post cast conditions.
It was found that monotonic tensile properties could be used in the original universal slopes
method of Manson to predict the fatigue properties as a conservative first approximation for
A356 cast aluminium alloy wheels. Using finite element analysis and the predicted fatigue
properties the fatigue life of A356 aluminium alloy wheels could be determined.
Further work is required on the surface effect of paint on the wheel and residual stress on the
surface of the wheel.