Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products has launched the Alcoa Dura-Black wheel for the heavy-duty truck and trailer market.

Available in Menacing Matte Black colour, the new wheel line is the company’s latest in wheel innovation.

The new wheel offers the same advantages as all its lightweight forged aluminum counterparts. It is similarly designed to be lighter yet stronger than steel wheels to improve payload and fuel efficiency while simultaneously increasing resale value over the life of the vehicle. The wheel comes with an alternative styling option.

“Alcoa wheels have always been manufactured with the latest in wheel innovation that benefit our customers’ business needs,” says Merrick Murphy, President, Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products. “The launch of Alcoa Dura-Black Wheels adds to our portfolio with a new and distinctive appearance, giving fleets and owner-operators a customized option that makes a personal statement, with all of the same benefits they’ve come to expect from all of our wheels.”

Featuring quality detailing in all aspects of the wheel design and production, the Alcoa Dura-Black is manufactured using proprietary technology and production processes required for appearance and durability. In contrast to the matte black face of the wheel, its rim flange and mounting surface appear bright. The bright rim flange affords lends extra protection during tire mounting and when in use on the road. The bright disc face mounting surface lends protection when mounting and while in use on the rig.

To make ordering and installation easy, Arconic engineers treat the Alcoa Dura-Black on both sides for flexibility of mounting in steer or drive position. Additionally, it is supplied with high-quality, colour-matched components such as a black valve stem, and a precision, laser-etched logo. To complete the look, Arconic uses colour-matched Alcoa One-Piece Hub Cover Systems, specifically designed for Alcoa Dura-Black Wheels in steer and drive positions.

“We listened to the market and assembled a team to design, develop and test this new wheel in the lab and out in the field with fleet customers to ensure they’d stand strong,” adds Murphy. “Alcoa Dura-Black Wheels meet or exceed rigorous OEM testing that’s been expanded to match both the durability and appearance requirements of this unique wheel.”

The new wheel is currently available in popular sizes for heavy-duty tractor and trailer applications.  They are as follows:

• 5” x 8.25”—ULTRABLK: This weighs 18.14 kg (40 lbs).
• 5” x 9.00”—89U64BLK: This weighs 21.77 kg (48 lbs).
• 5” x 8.25”—98U63BLK: This weighs 23.13 kg (51 lbs).
• 5” x 12.25”—82462BLK: This weighs 29.93 kg (66 lbs).

The 22.5” x 8.25”, 22.5” x 9.00” and 24.5” x 8.25” sized wheels all utilize Ultra ONE technology with MagnaForce alloy for the lightest wheel option in their respective classes.  The 22.5” x 12.25” wheel is the lightest in its fitment class.

Additionally, Alcoa Dura-Black is available on select stylized wheels exclusively through key OEM tractor manufacturers.  The company backs each wheel with a three-year surface treatment warranty.

With the launch of the Alcoa Dura-Black Wheel, Arconic reinforces its progression of surface treated innovations dating back to patented Dura-Bright Wheels, which first debuted in 2001. The Alcoa Dura-Black Wheel joins the Alcoa “Dura-” portfolio to as part of the company’s most advanced surface treatment collection.

The wheel is available for immediate order through OEM tractor and trailer dealers on new trucks as well as through aftermarket distributors for retrofit options on existing tractors and trailers.