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Choosing the right material
Why is Plombco offering wheel weights in 3 different materials?
Traditionally wheel balancing weights were made from lead. Because of its low price, ease of manufacturing, high density lead was seen as offering an excellent suitability to task.
However, for environmental and public health reasons the use of lead is being banned in many jurisdictions. Europe (EEC) banned its use in wheel balancing weights in 2005 and the Japanese car manufacturers have stopped using it for nearly a decade. Today nearly all cars sold in North America arrive with lead-free weights when delivered from the factory. In addition, many States in the USA are in the process of banning lead wheel balancing weights or have already done so. Plombco as a charter member of the EPA sponsored National Lead-Free Wheel Weights Initiative has commited to substantially reduce the amount of lead used in the production of wheel weights. For this reason Plombco recommends the use of lead-free wheel weights.
Steel and zinc are offered as alternatives to lead. Although steel is the preferred alternative, zinc is also offered for those who prefer the «traditional style» of wheel weights and for some speciality products. The table below shows the main characteristics of steel and zinc.
| Steel | Zinc | |
| Toxicity |
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| CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances | Not Listed | Ranked 74 (after other substances like Nickel #53 and Methane #66) |
| Recyclability | Easily recyclable | Difficult to recycle because it is subject to contamination. |
| Corrosion resistance | Poor corrosion resistance on its own. But can get good resistance with our superior coating. | Excellent resistance. |