CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS
Industrial casters are essential components for various mobile equipment, transportation vehicles, shelving, workbenches, and more. They not only enable equipment to move, but also provide load-bearing, cushioning, and adaptability to ground conditions. In industries such as manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, medical equipment, food processing, and outdoor engineering, the right casters can significantly improve efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, protect floors, and extend equipment life.
However, in our years of experience as a professional caster supplier, Giessen has found that many customers only consider load capacity and price when selecting a caster, overlooking the crucial impact of ground conditions. Different ground materials directly affect a caster's rolling resistance, wear rate, noise level, and even safety performance.
This article will explore multiple factors, including ground material, wheel tread material, structural design, load matching, and application scenarios, to help you make an informed choice and avoid unnecessary losses.
For purchasing or wholesale, please contact:
https://www.giessencasters.com
Giessen Caster Supplier offers a comprehensive range of industrial caster solutions.
Common flooring types in industrial environments include concrete, epoxy flooring, ceramic tile, anti-static PVC, asphalt, and steel platforms. These floors vary significantly in hardness, coefficient of friction, flatness, and impact resistance.
| Floor Type | Surface Hardness (Mohs) | Coefficient of Friction (μ) | Flatness Grade (1-5) | Impact Resistance | Overview of Characteristics | Impact on Casters |
| Concrete | 6-7 | 0.6-0.8 | 3 | High | Hard structure, wear-resistant | Rapid wear on hard wheels, requiring a wheel tread material with good impact resistance |
| Epoxy Flooring | 4-5 | 0.5-0.6 | 5 | Medium | Smooth, chemical-resistant | Slip prone, requiring a high-friction or anti-slip wheel tread |
| Ceramic Tile | 6-7 | 0.4- 0.5 | 5 | Medium | Bright, attractive, and waterproof | Low friction coefficient, but braking performance may be affected |
| Anti-static PVC flooring | 3-4 | 0.5-0.6 | 4 | Medium | Anti-static and dustproof | Requires conductive or anti-static wheels |
| Asphalt | 2-3 | 0.7-0.9 | 2 | Low | Soft, easily softens in summer; small-diameter wheels tend to sink | Requires a wide wheel surface |
| Steel platform | 4-5 | 0.4-0.5 | 3 | High | High vibration, metal-to-metal friction | Requires high-strength, impact-resistant wheels |
A higher friction coefficient (μ) increases the force required to push the equipment, but also improves anti-slip performance. A friction coefficient between 0.5 and 0.7 is generally recommended for industrial environments. Low-friction surfaces (such as tiles and steel): Choose a wheel tread material with a high coefficient of friction (such as soft PU or rubber). High-friction surfaces (such as asphalt): Choose a hard material (such as nylon or PA) to reduce resistance.
Hard surfaces (Mohs hardness > 6): The wheel tread wears quickly, requiring a highly wear-resistant material (nylon or PU).
Soft surfaces: Deform easily, requiring a wide wheel tread or a low-hardness material to distribute the pressure.
Poorly flat surfaces can generate impact loads, increasing wear on bearings and hubs, necessitating consideration of shock absorption.
Oil, acid, alkali, salt spray, and temperature fluctuations can all affect the lifespan of the wheel tread. High-temperature environments require a heat-resistant material (such as cast iron or heat-resistant nylon).
| Material | Hardness (Shore A/D) | Rolling Resistance | Wear Resistance | Load Capacity | Impact Resistance | Temperature Range (°C) | Features |
| Polyurethane (PU) | 90-95A | Medium | High | Medium-High | High | -20-80°C | Quiet, non-slip, wear-resistant, and floor-friendly |
| Nylon (PA) | 75-85D | Low | Very High | High | Medium | 40-120°C | Low rolling resistance, non-absorbent, and chemically resistant |
| Rubber | 70-80A | High | Medium | Medium | High | -20-70°C | Good cushioning, non-slip, and quiet |
| Cast Iron | >85D | Medium | Very High | Very High | High | 40-300°C | High-temperature and impact resistant, suitable for heavy loads |
| Polymer Composites | 85-90D | Low | High | High | High | -30-100°C | Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly adaptable |
Fixed Casters: Single-direction linear motion, suitable for production line carts
Swivel Casters: 360° rotation, flexible for narrow spaces
Casters with Brakes: Used when equipment needs to be fixed in place
Shock-absorbing Casters: Suitable for uneven or vibrating surfaces
Conductive Casters: Used in electronics manufacturing and medical equipment to prevent static damage
Flat Floors: 100-125mm is sufficient
Uneven Floors: 150-200mm to reduce vibration
Obstacle-prone Floors: >200mm with shock-absorbing features
| Floor Type | Recommended Wheel Tread Material | Recommended Structure | Notes |
| Concrete | PU/Nylon | Swivel with Brake | Balanced Wear Resistance and Flexibility |
| Epoxy Flooring | PU/Rubber | Swivel | Anti-Slip Protective Flooring |
| Ceramic Tile | Rubber | Swivel | Shock Absorbent and Anti-Slip |
| Asphalt | Wide Rubber | Fixed + Shock Absorbent | Anti-Sinking |
| Steel Platform | Cast Iron | Fixed | Heavy-Duty and High-Temperature Resistant |
Flooring: Epoxy Flooring
Requirements: Low Noise, Anti-Slip, 500kg Load Capacity
Recommendation: PU Swivel Caster with Brake
Flooring: Anti-Static PVC
Requirements: Anti-Static, Anti-Slip, Quiet
Recommendation: Conductive PU Wheel with Dual Brake Design
Surface: Asphalt/Dirt
Requirements: Anti-sinking, impact-resistant
Recommendation: Wide rubber wheels with shock-absorbing structure
Lubrication and Maintenance: Check and grease the bearings every three months
Wheel Surface Cleaning: Prevent stone and metal chips from getting stuck
Brake Inspection: Ensure the braking mechanism is flexible and reliable
Replacement Time: Replace when wheel tread wear >20% or bearings are loose
When selecting industrial casters, it is important to consider the surface type, load capacity, frequency of use, and environmental conditions. Consult with a professional caster supplier to achieve the optimal balance between performance and life.
https://www.giessencasters.com
Giessen Caster Supplier offers a full range of industrial caster solutions.
