Design and Simulation of Mg and Ti Alloy-based Wheel Nuts for Formula One Cars

Abstract

Formula One is the highest level of globally recognised auto racing for single-seater formula racing vehicles, as sanctioned by the Federation of International Automobiles (FIA). In the Formula One World Championship, the word formula refers to the set of rules that all competing cars must obey. Formula cars are developed with outstanding attributes to survive in high-speed racing. However, issues such as wheel nut failure are common in these vehicles. The wheel nut has to hold the wheel to the car and must resist braking and lateral forces. Titanium alloys are commonly utilized in the manufacture of wheel nuts for Formula One cars, while magnesium alloys are also considered for high-end automobile wheel nuts. In this study, the design of a wheel nut with titanium and magnesium alloys is analyzed using Ansys under uniform and variable stress situations. The results of the analysis showed that titanium alloy is the best-suited material for F1 racing cars. The reasons for the nut failure are also discussed in this paper. The paper contributes to the automotive industry by providing insights into the design and material selection for wheel nuts in high-speed racing cars, specifically Formula One vehicles.