Click to: Swivel and Rigid Casters | Brake Types | Mounting Systems | Axle Types | Load Capacity | Wheel Size & Tread Width | Wheel Bearing Types | >Wheel Materials | Tire Performance Guide | Finishes | Options

Wheel Materials

Wheel materials should be selected according to the load capacity required, floor conditions and the environment. Rough, hard or uneven floors generally require a resilient tire, which is quiet, absorbs shock and offers increased floor protection. Hard tread wheels roll more easily, especially on carpeted floors, and have a greater load capacity than more resilient wheel treads.

• Nylon: Nylon wheels are a hard, milky white colored plastic, that is ideal for carpeted floors, wet environments or if heavy loads must be carried.

  Polyolefin: These are hard plastic wheels that perform like nylon, but don't take as much shock or work as well in wet environments. They are available in a high temperature version for applications up to 550°F (285°C).

  Phenolic: These wheels are made of a hard, black material that rolls very easily, but is not great for shock loads or in wet environments. They are available in a high temperature version for applications in excess of 300°F (150°C), but not greater than 525°F (275°C).

  Cushion Rubber: Cushion rubber wheels are available in black or non-marking grey. Rubber tires are quiet and offer good floor protection. Most cushion rubber tires have a hardness of 80° ± 5° on the Shore "A" scale.

  Hard Rubber: Black, hard rubber tires can be supplied in many of the casters in this catalog. These tires are good on carpeted floors, but do not offer the shock absorption or noise reduction of cushion rubber.

  Antistatic Rubber: Black, antistatic, cushion rubber tires are available for applications where equipment must be grounded to prevent static electricity from developing. NOTE: antistatic tires must be kept clean for effective performance!
  Antistatic tires can also be supplied in nylon, thermoplastic rubber and polyurethane materials.

  Thermoplastic Rubber: These tires are non-marking, wear better than rubber, yet offer good floor protection and noise reduction. Thermoplastic rubber tires also roll more easily than cushion rubber tires. These tires are available in a variety of tread hardnesses.

  Polyurethane: Polyurethane is a resilient material that is non-marking and offers good floor protection, yet still rolls very easily. It is an ideal material for use on carpeted floors or for carrying heavy loads. Polyurethane tires are typically harder than cushion tires, about 95° on the Shore "A" scale, and last at least three times longer than rubber tires.

• SuperSoft(TM): SuperSoft, a shock absorbing material, is a unique soft tire which absorbs more shock than standard cushion tires, offering greater equipment and floor protection. They roll more easily into elevators, over thresholds and other obstacles with significant reduction in shock. SuperSoft tires behave like pneumatic tires, but cannot go flat, making them ideal for diagnostic and sensitive electronic equipment.

For more information on choosing the right caster for your application, or to request a copy of any of our illustrated industry-specific catalogs, complete our online form, call us at 800-969-5400, or email your request to heretohelp@jilson.com.