The most common wheel metals today are steel, aluminum and magnesium. Magnesium is the most expensive of the three (the market price of one ton of magnesium fluctuates around US$2000, roughly 20% higher than the price of aluminum). Magnesium also stands out in this group due to its superior characteristics, advantages that make it a perfect base metal for alloy wheels:
Strength (magnesium has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of all commonly available metals)
Lightness (wheels made of Mg are 20% - 25% lighter than aluminum alloys, at the same load factor)
High damping capacity (Mg has the unique ability to transform vibrations into heat; for the driver that means a smoother ride with fewer jolts and quakes on pitted, uneven roads and longer life for the suspension system)
Heat thermal conductivity (Mg can dissipate heat quicker, an important advantage for prolonging the life of brakes and suspension)
