- Accu-Flange™ features a protective surface treatment that reduces rim flange wear
- Ideal for trucks carrying heavy and shifting loads, and in frequent stop-start applications
EVANSVILLE, Ind., June 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Accuride Corporation (NYSE:ACW), a leading supplier of components to the North American commercial vehicle industry, announced the introduction of its new Accu-Flange™ aluminum wheels featuring a specially-treated rim designed to reduce the rim flange wear seen in heavy-haul, shifting-load and frequent stop-start applications. The introduction of Accu-Flange™ gives the commercial vehicle industry a choice when it comes to protecting aluminum wheels from flange wear.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=25653
Shifting cargo weight creates friction between the tire wall and the wheel flange. Abrasion gradually erodes the flange surface, forming sharp edges that can damage the tires and make replacement a necessity. Accu-Flange™ wheels feature a special protective treatment applied to the surfaces of the wheel flange most prone to wear. The treatment bonds to the aluminum substrate, forming a tough barrier that reduces abrasion between the tire wall and wheel rim. As a result, Accu-Flange™ extends wheel service life for fleets that carry heavy loads and loads that are prone to shifting, such as lumber, metals, gravel, liquids and even passengers. It also is ideal for fleets that make frequent stops and starts – such as transit or refuse applications – and for use in gritty operating environments that accelerate flange wear.
"Accuride continues to provide customers with the broadest line of high-quality steel and aluminum wheels in the commercial vehicle industry," Accuride President & CEO Rick Dauch said. "Our new Accu-Flange™ wheels feature a tough protective coating that reduces flange wear and extends service life for miles and miles. Following on the heels of our advanced Steel Armor™ coating for steel wheels, Accu-Flange™ is the latest in a series of new products from Accuride that deliver improved durability, performance and value for our customers. By lowering wheel and tire replacement costs, Accu-Flange™ helps fleets and owner-operators maximize their maintenance budgets."
Accuride is making Accu-Flange™ available for many of its popular aluminum wheels. These range from its 19.5 x 7.5-inch 40160 to the 24.5 x 8.25-inch 40550 models, which have maximum loads per wheel of 6,700 lbs. and 12,800 lbs., respectively. Customers can order Accu-Flange™ wheels in Accuride's SP (standard polish), XP (extra polish) and Accu-Armor™ finishes. The Accu-Flange™ treatment is warranted for two years from the date of manufacture.
The benefits of Accu-Flange™ aluminum wheels make them relevant for several applications:
- Mining – Mainly off-road, with heavy loads and excessive flange wear due to a gritty, abrasive operating environment with vehicles in service for extended periods.
- Logging – On- and off-road, mixed-use applications with high centers of gravity for heavy loads that are prone to shifting.
- Tanker – On-road, with higher center of gravity and shifting liquid cargo that can lead to excessive flange wear.
- Refuse/Dump Truck – Mainly on-road applications with a medium degree of flange wear due to shifting loads, stop-start conditions and abrasive operating environments.
- Transit – On-road, with higher center of gravity and shifting loads caused by motion of passengers; vehicles typically in service for 10-12 years.
For more information on Accu-Flange™
For additional product and warranty information, as well as a complete list of the Accu-Flange™ aluminum wheel part numbers currently available from Accuride, visit the Accu-Flange™ product information at www.AccurideWheelEndSolutions.com.
About Accuride Corporation
With headquarters in Evansville, Ind., USA, Accuride Corporation is a leading supplier of components to the North American commercial vehicle industry. The company's products include commercial vehicle wheels; wheel-end components and assemblies; and specialty cast-iron components for a range of agricultural, construction and mining, and oil and gas equipment applications. The company's products are marketed under its brand names, which include Accuride®, Accuride Wheel End SolutionsTM, Gunite®, and BrillionTM. Accuride's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ACW. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.AccurideCorp.com.
Note to editors: To download 300 dpi photos of Accuride's Accu-Flange™ aluminum wheels, visit the Accuride News Room at http://www.accuridecorp.com/news/ and click on the link to this news release.
