How Temperature and Environment Affect Caster Performance

When businesses choose casters for warehouse equipment, medical devices, industrial carts, or logistics systems, they usually focus on load capacity, wheel material, and durability. However, one factor often overlooked—and yet critical for long-term performance—is the environment in which the casters operate.

Temperature, humidity, chemicals, and flooring conditions all directly influence caster lifespan, rolling efficiency, and safety. Understanding how these environmental factors affect caster performance helps facility managers, procurement teams, and maintenance departments make smarter equipment choices.

This guide breaks down the key environmental influences on caster performance and offers simple, practical recommendations to help you select the right caster for your specific working conditions.

Temperature: A Major Factor in Wheel Material Performance

Temperature is one of the most important environmental considerations. Extreme heat or cold can change how caster materials behave, affecting load capacity, hardness, elasticity, and rolling resistance.

High-Temperature Environments (60°C–300°C+)

Common in:

• Bakeries and food-processing ovens

• Industrial furnaces

• Auto-paint drying rooms

• Manufacturing plants with continuous heat exposure

How heat affects casters:

• Polyurethane softens, leading to deformation under load.

• Rubber can melt or crack, depending on exposure time.

• Lubricants break down, causing poor swivel performance.

• Plastic wheels lose structural integrity.

Best wheel materials for high heat:

• High-temperature phenolic

• High-temp nylon

• Cast iron / forged steel

• Heat-resistant rubber (for moderate heat)

Low-Temperature Environments (-20°C to -50°C or lower)

Common in:

• Cold storage and refrigerated warehouses

• Outdoor winter logistics

• Medical or biotech facilities

Cold temperature challenges:

• Rubber hardens, reducing grip and increasing noise.

• Polyurethane becomes brittle, especially low-quality formulations.

• Metal parts contract, affecting swivel movement.

• Grease may thicken, causing slow rolling.

Best wheel materials for freezing environments:

• Thermoplastic rubber

• High-quality cold-resistant polyurethane

• Nylon with low-temp lubrication

Moisture, Humidity & Water Exposure

Water exposure can significantly affect caster performance, especially in industries where equipment is regularly washed, such as food processing or medical environments.

Problems caused by moisture:

• Steel components may rust or corrode

• Bearings may seize

• Low-quality rubber can absorb water

• Floors become slippery, requiring better traction

Water-resistant caster solutions:

• Stainless steel caster rigs

• Nylon or polyurethane wheels

• Sealed precision bearings

• Rust-resistant zinc plating

If your workplace has daily cleaning or steam washing, waterproof casters are not optional—they’re essential for safety and product longevity.

Chemical Exposure: Solvents, Oils, and Cleaning Agents

In factories, laboratories, and workshops, casters often come into contact with chemicals that can break down certain materials.

Chemicals that damage common caster wheels:

• Acids and alkalis

• Industrial solvents

• Oils and grease

• Alcohol-based cleaners

Vulnerable materials:

• Rubber (easily degraded by oils and solvents)

• Standard polyurethane (can swell or soften)

• Mild steel rigs (corrosion risk)

Chemical-resistant materials:

• Polypropylene

• Phenolic resin

• Stainless steel rigs

• High-grade polyurethane formulas

If your facility uses harsh cleaning chemicals or operates near chemical processing zones, chemical-resistant casters help avoid unexpected failures.

Flooring Conditions & Surface Texture

Even without temperature or moisture concerns, flooring affects caster performance:

Rough or uneven floors cause:

• Faster tread wear

• Higher rolling resistance

• More noise

• Safety hazards when pushing heavy carts

Soft floors (like epoxy or vinyl) require:

• Non-marking polyurethane

• Larger wheel diameters

• Softer treads to avoid surface damage

Outdoor or mixed-floor environments benefit from:

• Pneumatic or semi-pneumatic wheels

• TPR (thermoplastic rubber) with strong shock absorption

Quick Comparison Table: How Materials Perform in Different Environments

Below is a simple reference table to help B2B buyers identify suitable caster materials based on environmental conditions:

How to Choose the Right Casters Based on Environmental Needs

To get the best performance and lifespan from your casters, consider the following factors together—not individually:

1. Identify the real operating conditions

Ask:

• Will the casters face heat or cold?

• Will the equipment be washed frequently?

• Is the floor smooth or uneven?

• Are there chemicals present?

2. Select materials designed for those conditions

For example:

• Cold storage → TPR or cold-resistant PU

• Food processing → Stainless steel + nylon

• Heavy-duty industrial → Cast iron or phenolic

3. Choose the right bearings

Environment influences bearing type:

• Sealed precision bearings → Wet or chemical-heavy areas

• Roller bearings → Heavy loads

• Plain bore → High-temperature conditions

4. Don't ignore load capacity

Environmental changes often reduce real-world capacity.
For example:
Polyurethane rated at 300kg at room temperature might perform like 220–250kg in high heat.

5. Match wheel size to terrain

Larger wheels help overcome uneven floors, especially in cold or wet environments.

Practical Use Cases: Real-Life Examples

Cold Storage Warehouse

• Issue: Wheels cracking due to freezing

• Solution: Switch to TPR wheels with low-temp grease

• Result: 40% longer caster lifespan, quieter rolling

Food-Processing Factory

• Issue: Rusting rigs due to daily washdowns

• Solution: Replace steel casters with stainless steel + nylon

• Result: Maintenance cost reduced by 60%

High-Heat Manufacturing Plant

• Issue: Rubber wheels melting under continuous high temp

• Solution: Use high-temp phenolic wheels

• Result: Stable performance even at 200°C

These examples show how correctly matched caster materials directly impact efficiency and safety.

Final Thoughts

Environmental conditions—temperature, moisture, chemicals, and flooring—play a major role in caster performance. Understanding these factors helps businesses select casters that last longer, roll more smoothly, and operate safely across all working conditions.

If your facility needs casters that can handle demanding environments, choosing high-quality materials and well-engineered designs will significantly reduce maintenance time, extend equipment life, and improve workplace efficiency.

Looking for high-performance casters built for challenging industrial environments?

Giessen offers durable, reliable caster solutions designed for warehouses, medical facilities, logistics, and heavy-duty applications.

Explore more at www.giessen-caster.com or contact us for recommendations tailored to your operating conditions.