Caster Wheel Material Application Guide

Application Information on Caster Wheel Materials

RUBBER WHEELS:

• Softer than polyurethane
• Withstands exposure to many chemicals & solvents with less than 10% acidity.
• Gray rubber = Non Marking.
• Black Rubber = Marking.
• Crowned = Better on carpet.
• Flat = Better on Hard Floors.
• Rubber climbs easier over obstacles, uneven floors, joints, gaps, and grips slippery floors easier.
• Protects floors and absorbs shocks.
• Do not leave rubber wheels above 50% of its rated weight capacity for prolonged periods of time, they will develop flat spots.
• Bonding agents can wear off if exposed to chemicals and certain environments.
• Do not exceed 150 F degrees.

Polyurethane Wheels:

• Non Marking and Non Conductive.
• Not meant on poor floors or for absorbing shocks, abuse, overloading, obstructions, or storage.
• Polyurethane wheels are injection molded, mechanically and chemically bonded to a polyolefin center.
• Superior to rubber in withstanding grease, oil, cutting, chunking, and abrasive wear.

Phenolic Wheels:

• Made from macerated canvas and resin.
• Molded under high pressure and heat.
• Recommended for smooth concrete and can be used for storage.
• Highly resistant to grease, oil, gas, and mild acids.
• Not meant for wet applications.
• Affected by strong acids and alkaline solutions.
• -40F – 250F degrees.

https://www.casterhq.com/PhenolicWheels-s/131.htm

Pneumatic Wheels:

• Pneumatic wheels with black tires do not leave marks as long as they are able to move freely.
• Recommended to use with swivel casters but not required.
• Best for noise absorption, and shock absorption.
• Very cushioned ride, use for fragile or delicate cargo, or on rough surfaces (gravel), or on grass.
• Foam Filled Pneumatic wheels last longer and are easier to roll with less effort.

Forged Steel & Ductile Steel:

• Made for extreme weights that normal wheels can not handle.
• Not meant for protecting floors / will damage most factory floors.
• Capable of temperatures up to 700 F degrees.

Polyolefin Wheels:

• Suited for wet and corrosive applications.
• Injected molded from a blend of thermoplastic polymers, forming a one piece solid and sanitary design.
• Highly resistant to many commonly encountered liquids.

High Temperature Caster Wheels:

• HTPhenolic are made out of fiberglass and are best suited for dry heat applications, powder coating, bakery convection, and dry heat autoclaves.
• Glass-Filled Nylon performs best in moist heat applications such as smoke houses and around water and steam. Recommended to be used on smooth surfaces.

Gray Iron Caster Wheels:

• Provide high capacity and are less expensive than forged steel.
• Practical for use on wood block or hardened smooth concrete.
• Causes deterioration on untreated concrete.
• Not recommended for floors or cargo protection.
• Gray iron is tough, long wearing material, but does not have the impact strength of ductile or forged steel.

Machined Steel:

• Precision machined from hot-rolled steel bar stock.
• Highly resistant to shock loads and offer incomparable strength, durability, and performance.

V-Groove Caster Wheels:

• Designed to guide equipment by rolling on an inverted angle iron track.
• Elevated track minimizes problems caused by floor debris.
• When not operating on track the wheel tread on both sides of the V-groove allows for use on smooth floors.

Everything you need to know about Caster Wheel Materials