Single wheel material

Time：May 20,2019

There are various materials for manufacturing single wheels, the most common materials are: nylon, polypropylene, polyurethane, rubber, cast iron, etc.

1. Polypropylene wheel, commonly known as PP wheel

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic material known for its impact resistance, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, non-marking, non-staining, and non-toxic properties. It is an odorless, moisture-resistant material. Polypropylene can resist many corrosive substances and does not contain strong oxidizers or hydrogen halides. The applicable temperature range is -20℃ to +60℃, but the load-bearing capacity decreases when the ambient temperature exceeds +30℃.

2. Nylon wheel

Nylon is a thermoplastic plastic. It is impact-resistant, non-marking, non-staining, corrosion-resistant, highly abrasion-resistant, and odorless. It is tasteless, hygienic, and resistant to many corrosive substances, but not resistant to mineral acids, oxidizers, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and heavy metal salt solutions. Its rolling resistance is very low, making it suitable for use on rough or contaminated surfaces. The color is natural white or black. Its performance improves significantly after fully absorbing moisture. The applicable temperature range for nylon is between -45℃ and +130℃, with short-term use allowed in higher temperature environments. However, the load-bearing capacity decreases in environments above +35℃.

3. Polyurethane wheel

Polyurethane (TPU) is a thermoplastic polyurethane. It uses polypropylene or nylon as the wheel core, with polyurethane injection molded onto the outer edge of the wheel core to form the wheel surface. It has excellent properties such as protecting the ground, absorbing vibrations, being non-marking, non-staining, elastic, abrasion-resistant, and resistant to many corrosive substances; it also withstands hot water and steam under specific conditions. Its rolling resistance is low, making it suitable for use on various surfaces. The color can be customized. The applicable temperature range for thermoplastic polyurethane single wheels is -45℃ to +90℃, with reduced load-bearing capacity in environments above +35℃. The hardness is generally 92°±3°, 94°±3°, or 98°±2° Shore A.

4. Cast polyurethane (CPU) elastomer wheel

Cast polyurethane elastomer (CPU) is a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer formed through a chemical reaction, based on polyester polyols, diisocyanates, and ethylene glycol. It uses iron or aluminum cores as the wheel core, with polyurethane cast onto the outer edge of the wheel core, forming the wheel surface through high-temperature curing. This type of wheel is very protective of the ground, absorbs vibrations, is non-marking, non-staining, has excellent abrasion resistance, good elasticity, is resistant to many corrosive substances, and is UV resistant, but it is not resistant to hot water, steam, humid air, and aromatic solvents. Additionally, it offers very high operational comfort, low rolling resistance, and generates little heat under dynamic loads. The color is white. The applicable temperature range for cast polyurethane wheels is -30℃ to +70℃, with a short-term maximum of +90℃. The best rigidity is at temperatures below -10℃. The hardness is 75°+5° Shore A.

5. Cast polyurethane (CPU) wheel

Cast polyurethane (CPU) is a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer formed through a chemical reaction, based on polyester polyols, diisocyanates, and ethylene glycol. It protects the ground, is non-marking, non-staining, highly abrasion-resistant, elastic, resistant to many corrosive substances, and UV resistant. Additionally, it has a very low permanent deformation rate, low rolling resistance, generates little heat under dynamic loads, and has hydrolysis resistance, making it particularly suitable for higher speeds up to 16 km/h. The color can be customized. The applicable temperature range for cast polyurethane wheels is -45℃ to +90℃, with a short-term maximum of +90℃.

6. Cast nylon (MC) wheel

Cast nylon (MC) is a thermosetting plastic formed through a chemical reaction. It is impact-resistant, non-marking, non-staining, corrosion-resistant, highly abrasion-resistant, and odorless. It is tasteless, hygienic, and resistant to many corrosive substances. However, it is not resistant to mineral acids, oxidizers, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and heavy metal salt solutions. In terms of load-bearing capacity, tensile strength, elasticity, deformation stability, and moisture absorption, cast nylon (MC) performs better than injection-molded nylon. Its rolling resistance is very low. The color is natural. The applicable temperature range for cast nylon (MC) is -45℃ to +130℃, with short-term use allowed in higher temperature environments. The load-bearing capacity decreases in environments above +35℃.

7. Foam polyurethane (PUE) wheel

Foam polyurethane (PUE), also known as microporous polyurethane, is a block copolymer. Foam polyurethane wheels are highly elastic wheels whose main physical properties exceed those of all other microporous elastomers of the same density. They possess low density, lightweight, easy deformation, easy molding, impact resistance, good sound absorption and energy absorption, high load-bearing capacity, high elasticity, good tear resistance, radiation resistance, and shock-absorbing properties. Their excellent and unique comprehensive performance is not found in ordinary plastics and rubbers. They also have a wide hardness range, from Shore A 10 to 100. These characteristics make them very suitable as materials for casters.

8. Solid rubber tire

Solid rubber tires are made with iron, aluminum, steel, or plastic cores, wrapped in high-quality rubber on the outer edge of the core, and formed through high-temperature vulcanization. They have excellent properties such as vibration absorption, impact resistance, high elasticity, very protective of the ground, and resistant to many corrosive substances. However, they are not resistant to oil corrosion. The colors are black, gray, or dark gray. The applicable temperature range for solid rubber tires is -45℃ to +90℃. The hardness is 80°+5°/-10° Shore A.

9. Inflatable wheel

The inflatable wheel consists of inflatable tires and rubber outer tires, both made of rubber. It particularly protects the ground, absorbs vibrations, and is resistant to many corrosive substances, but not to oil corrosion. Additionally, when the ground conditions are poor, they provide high operational comfort and very low rolling resistance. The greater the number of tire layers, the higher the strength. The maximum tire pressure and load capacity are determined by the strength of the tire body. To ensure optimal use and achieve a long lifespan, it is essential to strictly adhere to and regularly check the tire pressures listed in the table. Both excessively high and low tire pressures can damage or destroy the tire. The color is black. The temperature range suitable for inflatable tires is between -30°C and +50°C. The size of a single wheel or tire is suitable for new tires that are not under load, with slight changes in width and diameter during operation.

10. Soft Rubber Wheel

The soft rubber wheel is based on a specially developed high-elasticity rubber compound. It particularly protects the ground, absorbs vibrations, and is resistant to many corrosive substances, but not to oil corrosion.

11. Synthetic Rubber Wheel

The synthetic rubber wheel is made of thermoplastic rubber elastomer (TPR) and has the following notable features: excellent cushioning and shock absorption performance, which better protects equipment, goods, and floors; its outstanding impact resistance far exceeds that of cast iron core rubber wheels; it has high shape memory performance, making it less prone to deformation even when the wheel is placed under load for a long time; it operates quietly with no noise; it is non-corrosive and can withstand most chemical solvents, water, and steam; it has excellent wear resistance, comparable to that of polyvinyl chloride wheels; the strong and tough tread structure ensures flexible operation of equipment and smooth rotation; it has good puncture resistance and can be used on surfaces with metal shavings, gravel, etc. Its applicable temperature range is between -45°C and +60°C. The hardness is 70°±3° Shore A.

12. Anti-static Synthetic Rubber Wheel

The anti-static synthetic rubber wheel is made of thermoplastic rubber elastomer (TPE), which is easy to protect the ground, leaves no marks, operates comfortably, produces low noise, and has low rolling and rotational resistance, while being resistant to many corrosive substances and having anti-static properties. The color is gray. Its applicable temperature range is between -45°C and +60°C. The hardness is 70°±3° Shore A. When the ground is sensitive, this can lead to conductive staining, with a conductive resistance value: a resistance value not exceeding 10^4 ohms is classified as a conductive caster, while the resistance of anti-static casters should be between 10^5 and 10^7 ohms.

13. Cast Iron Wheel

The cast iron wheel is specially made from durable gray cast iron, designed to be particularly pressure and wear-resistant, with exceptionally high static and dynamic load-bearing capacity. The tensile strength and hardness remain almost constant over a wide temperature range (-100°C to +300°C), and it is resistant to oil corrosion. The applicable temperature range for cast iron is between -45°C and +500°C. The graphite deposited in the cast iron achieves the typical emergency running performance of cast iron in sliding bearings and reduces corrosion sensitivity. The hardness is 190-230 HB. However, care should be taken on pressure-sensitive surfaces.

How to choose the right caster wheels

None

How to choose the right caster wheels

None

Polyurethane Casters: A Great Helper in Logistics and Transportation

Jan 21,2025

High-Temperature Resistant Casters: Your Transport Assistant in High-Temperature Environments

Jan 20,2025

Analysis of Caster Wheel Types: Characteristics and Applications of Fixed Wheels, Swivel Wheels, and Swivel Brake Wheels.

Jan 18,2025

Industrial Swivel Casters

Jan 16,2025