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Casters are increasingly used in modern furniture design and manufacturing. Whether for office furniture, home furnishings, or commercial appliances, casters enhance mobility and ease of use. However, furniture casters made of different materials have their own strengths and weaknesses in terms of performance, durability, load-bearing capacity, and applicable scenarios. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of furniture caster material selection, application characteristics, pros and cons, and purchasing recommendations, drawing on industry experience to provide professional reference.
If you are looking for a reliable caster supplier, please contact Giessen Caster Supplier (email: Giessencasters@gmail.com, website: https://www.giessencasters.com).
Improved Mobility: Facilitates the free movement of furniture within indoor and outdoor spaces.
Floor Protection: High-quality casters reduce wear on floors like wood and tile.
Noise Control: Some materials (such as rubber and polyurethane) offer excellent noise reduction. Safety: Furniture casters with brakes prevent furniture from sliding unexpectedly.
Office Furniture: Office chairs, mobile filing cabinets, conference tables.
Home Furniture: Storage cabinets, coffee tables, bed frames.
Commercial Applications: Display stands, catering equipment, medical carts.
Different caster materials affect:
Load-bearing capacity
Service life
Rolling resistance
Price and cost
Environmental adaptability
Therefore, furniture manufacturers must select the appropriate caster material based on the intended use and user needs when producing in bulk or customizing.
In furniture manufacturing, common caster materials include plastic (PP/nylon), rubber, polyurethane (PU), metal, and TPR (thermoplastic rubber). Below is an analysis of each:
Advantages: Lightweight, low cost, and strong chemical resistance.
Disadvantages: Limited load-bearing capacity, poor wear resistance, and prone to leaving marks on hard surfaces.
Applications: Lightweight furniture, filing cabinets, storage boxes.
Advantages: Excellent shock absorption, quiet performance, and strong floor protection.
Disadvantages: Less wear-resistant than PU and relatively shorter service life.
Applications: Bedroom furniture, mobile coffee tables, and lightweight carts.
Advantages: High wear resistance, quiet performance, strong load-bearing capacity, and a wide range of applications.
Disadvantages: Higher price, sensitive to humidity and high temperatures.
Applications: Office chairs, display cabinets, and commercial furniture.
Advantages: Superior load-bearing capacity, impact resistance, and high-temperature resistance.
Disadvantages: Loud rolling noise, severe floor wear, and unsuitable for residential environments.
Applications: Industrial furniture and heavy-duty storage racks.
Advantages: Soft and quiet, corrosion-resistant, and environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages: Limited load-bearing capacity, unsuitable for extremely heavy furniture.
Applications: Medical furniture, laboratory equipment, children's furniture.
For ease of comparison, the following table lists the performance indicators of common caster materials:
Table 1: Performance Comparison of Furniture Casters Made of Different Materials
| Material | Load-bearing Capacity | Wear Resistance | Quietness | Floor Protection | Cost | Applications |
| Plastic (PP/Nylon) | Medium-low | Medium-low | Average | Average | Low | File cabinets, storage racks |
| Rubber | Medium | Medium | High | High | Medium | Bedroom furniture, coffee tables |
| PU (Polyurethane) | High | High | High | High | Medium-high | Office furniture, display cabinets |
| Metal | Very high | Very high | Poor | Poor | High | Industrial furniture, heavy equipment |
| TPR | Medium | Medium-high | High | High | Medium | Medical furniture, children's furniture |
Hard wheels (e.g., metal, nylon): Low rolling resistance but high wear on floors. Soft wheels (such as rubber, PU, TPR): Floor-friendly, but with slightly higher rolling resistance.
Ball bearings: Smooth rolling, suitable for high-end furniture.
Sliding bearings: Low cost, suitable for lightweight furniture.
Small diameter: Highly flexible, suitable for low-profile furniture.
Large diameter: Strong ability to cross obstacles, suitable for office chairs or storage cabinets.
Table 2: Furniture Caster Design Parameter Reference
| Parameter Category | Common Options | Technical Features | Applicable Scenario |
| Wheel Surface Hardness | Hard wheels / Soft wheels | Hard wheels are wear-resistant, soft wheels are quiet | Industrial / Home |
| Bearing Type | Ball bearings / Sliding bearings | Ball bearings are smooth, sliding is economical | High-end / Low-end furniture |
| Wheel Diameter | 30-100mm | Small diameters are flexible, large diameters are obstacle-crossing | Office chairs / Filing cabinets |
Electroplating: Enhances aesthetics and corrosion resistance.
Spray coating: Rust-resistant and wear-resistant, commonly used for metal caster brackets.
We recommend PU silent casters, which protect the floor and enhance comfort.
Rubber casters are recommended for bedroom furniture; they are silent and compatible with wooden floors.
TPR casters are recommended for kitchen or dining room furniture, as they are oil-resistant and waterproof.
TPR casters are preferred for medical furniture, as they are environmentally friendly, quiet, and corrosion-resistant.
PU casters are suitable for display cases in shopping malls, as they are wear-resistant and offer flexible mobility.
Table 3: Furniture Application and Caster Material Recommendations
| Furniture Type | Recommended Materials | Key Factors |
| Office Chair | PU | Quiet, Wear-Resistant, Moderate Load-Bearing |
| Storage Cabinets | Plastic/PU | Balanced Cost and Load-Bearing |
| Bedroom Furniture | Rubber | Quiet, Floor Protection |
| Medical Furniture | TPR | Corrosion-Resistant, Environmentally Friendly |
| Industrial Furniture | Metal | Ultra-High Load-Bearing |
Clearly Determine Load-Bearing Requirements
Select Wheel Hardness Based on Floor Material
Consider Furniture Movement Frequency and Noise Requirements
Evaluate the Cost-Life Balance
Lower Unit Cost: Bulk Purchasing can effectively reduce the price per unit.
Uniform Quality Standards: Ensures the overall consistency of furniture products.
Stable Supply Chain: Partner with a professional caster supplier to guarantee delivery times and after-sales service.
Email: Giessencasters@gmail.com
Website: https://www.giessencasters.com
Furniture casters made from different materials have significant performance differences. When selecting a caster, furniture manufacturers and buyers should consider load-bearing requirements, floor material, operating environment, and budget. If you are looking for a cost-effective, reliable caster supplier, please contact Giessen Caster Supplier for more professional support.
