How to improve the durability of forged aluminum alloy rear fork of bicycles so that it can withstand the impact of daily use?
Publish Time: 2025-07-23
In the field of bicycle manufacturing, choosing the right materials and processes is crucial to improving the performance of the whole vehicle. Among them, the rear fork, as a key component connecting the frame and the rear wheel, not only plays the role of transmitting power, but also needs to withstand various impact forces from the road. With the development of forged aluminum alloy technology, forged aluminum alloy rear fork has gradually become the first choice for high-end bicycles due to its excellent durability and strength.
1. Advantages of forging process
Forging is a processing method that uses pressure to deform metal materials, which can significantly improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of the material. Compared with traditional casting or machining methods, forged aluminum alloy rear fork has the following obvious advantages:
Grain refinement: During the forging process, the metal is subjected to high pressure, and the internal grains are refined to form a more uniform microstructure. This fine and uniform grain structure helps to improve the overall strength and toughness of the material, allowing the rear fork to better resist impact and fatigue damage.
Reduce defects: During the forging process, metal materials undergo multiple plastic deformations, which helps to remove casting defects such as internal pores and shrinkage, thereby improving the intrinsic quality of the product. Forged aluminum alloy rear forks usually have higher density and fewer internal defects, further enhancing their impact resistance.
Optimize stress distribution: The forging process allows designers to accurately control the flow direction of metal materials according to the actual force conditions, thereby optimizing stress distribution. For example, in the design of the rear fork, the load-bearing capacity of key parts can be enhanced by local thickening or rib design to ensure that these areas remain stable under high loads.
2. The importance of material selection
In addition to advanced forging technology, choosing the right aluminum alloy material is also one of the key factors in improving the durability of the rear fork. Common aluminum alloy grades used for forging rear forks include 6061, 7075, etc. These alloys not only have high strength and good weldability, but also have excellent corrosion resistance, which are very suitable for bicycle parts used outdoors.
Application of high-strength alloys: 7075 aluminum alloy is known for its excellent strength and is often used in aerospace and other fields. Applying it to the rear fork of a bicycle can significantly improve the structural strength without adding too much weight. In addition, 7075 aluminum alloy also has good fracture toughness, which can absorb more energy when subjected to unexpected impact and reduce the risk of damage.
Heat treatment strengthening: Many high-performance aluminum alloy materials undergo a special heat treatment process (such as T6 treatment) after forging to further improve their hardness and wear resistance. Heat treatment can not only refine the grains, but also change the internal phase distribution of the alloy, so that the material can achieve the best mechanical properties. The heat-treated forged aluminum alloy rear fork shows stronger fatigue resistance when facing long-term repeated loads.
3. The impact of design details on durability
In addition to the material itself and the manufacturing process, reasonable design is also an important part of improving the durability of the rear fork. Modern bicycle rear fork design pays more and more attention to ergonomic principles and dynamic mechanical analysis, aiming to maximize the potential of materials and reduce unnecessary stress concentration points.
Streamlined design: In order to reduce air resistance and improve riding efficiency, some high-end bicycles adopt a streamlined rear fork design. However, this design not only needs to consider aesthetics and aerodynamic effects, but also needs to ensure the stability of the structure. Through simulation analysis with computer-aided engineering (CAE) software, designers can avoid stress concentration areas while ensuring a smooth appearance.
Local reinforcement design: For parts that are prone to impact, such as the connection between the rear fork and the frame or the brake mounting point, local thickening or other forms of reinforcement measures are usually adopted. For example, setting reinforcing ribs at key positions or splicing plates of different thicknesses can not only maintain overall lightweight but also effectively enhance local strength.
Surface treatment technology: In order to extend the service life of the rear fork and prevent it from being eroded by the external environment, the finished product is usually surface treated. Common treatment methods include anodizing, powder coating, etc. Anodizing can generate a hard and dense oxide film on the surface of aluminum, providing an additional protective layer; while powder coating can give the product a variety of color options and further improve weather resistance.
In summary, by adopting advanced forging technology, selecting high-performance aluminum alloy materials and carefully designing every detail, the forged aluminum alloy rear fork can significantly improve its durability, ensuring that it can effectively cope with the impact challenges brought by various complex road conditions in daily use.
