CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS
As an integral component of modern furniture design and functionality, furniture casters play a crucial role in mobility, load-bearing capacity, durability, and aesthetics. Choosing the right caster material directly impacts the performance and lifespan of furniture. Currently, the most common furniture caster materials on the market are categorized as plastic and metal. These materials differ significantly in performance, cost, and application scenarios.
This article will provide a comprehensive technical comparison of plastic and metal casters from multiple perspectives, including material properties, performance comparisons, application scenarios, cost analysis, and maintenance. Tables and data will also be provided to help readers make the best choice.
For purchase or wholesale, please contact Giessen Caster Supplier at Giessencasters@gmail.com or visit their official website at https://www.giessencasters.com for more information.
Furniture casters are small, rotating wheels mounted on the bottom of furniture to ensure smooth movement and positioning. A typical caster consists of the following main components:
Wheel material (plastic, metal, rubber, etc.)
Hub and bearing (affects rolling smoothness)
Bracket and mounting plate (metal or plastic, determines load-bearing capacity)
Brake (equipped with some furniture casters)
Plastic casters are mostly made of engineering plastics such as nylon, polypropylene (PP), and polyurethane (PU). They are lightweight, low-cost, and highly efficient, making them commonly used in light-load applications such as home furniture, office chairs, and display racks.
Metal casters are mostly made of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and carbon steel. They offer a sturdy structure and high load-bearing capacity, making them commonly used in applications such as high-load furniture, industrial carts, and storage equipment.
To clearly illustrate the differences between the two materials, the following table compares plastic and metal casters across multiple performance dimensions.
Table 1: Performance Comparison of Plastic and Metal Casters
| Performance Index | Plastic Caster | Metal Caster |
| Load Capacity | Low to Medium (20-150 kg) | High (100-1000 kg+) |
| Abrasion Resistance | Medium (susceptible to abrasion by hard objects) | High (resistant to long-term rolling friction) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (moisture-resistant and rust-resistant) | Depends on the material (stainless steel is excellent, carbon steel is poor) |
| Quietness | High (suitable for quiet environments) | Medium (some metal casters are noisy) |
| Weight | Light | Heavy |
| Price | Low | Medium-High |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low | Medium |
| Service Life | 3-5 years (normal use) | 5-10+ years (high-quality materials) |
Due to the limited strength of the molecular structure of plastic casters, their maximum load capacity is typically between 20-150 kg, making them suitable for lightly loaded furniture. Metal casters, on the other hand, have higher yield strength and elastic modulus. Especially when using carbon steel or stainless steel brackets, the load capacity of a single wheel can reach over 1000kg.
Technical Data Example (Static Load per Wheel):
Nylon Caster: 50kg
PU-Coated Nylon Wheel: 120kg
Stainless Steel Wheel: 500kg
Carbon Steel Solid Wheel: 800-1200kg
Plastic casters are prone to wear and cracking due to frequent use and on rough surfaces. Metal casters offer superior wear resistance, but carbon steel can rust in humid or chemically corrosive environments.
Solutions:
Plastic casters: Add anti-wear agents and choose PU coatings.
Metal casters: Choose stainless steel, galvanized steel, or spray-coated steel.
Plastic casters, due to their low material density and low rolling resistance, are extremely quiet on hard surfaces such as wood and tile, making them ideal for quiet environments such as hospital wards, libraries, and offices. Without a rubber coating, metal casters will produce a lot of noise when rolling on hard surfaces.
The following table lists typical applications of plastic and metal casters in different furniture and environments.
Table 2: Recommended Applications for Different Caster Materials
| Application | Recommended Material | Reason |
| Office Chair | Plastic | Quiet, lightweight, low cost |
| Home Coffee Table | Plastic | Low load-bearing requirements, flexible appearance |
| Kitchen Cart | Metal | High load-bearing capacity, wear and corrosion resistance |
| Industrial Storage Rack | Metal | High load capacity, stable structure |
| Medical Equipment | Plastic/Metal Hybrid | PU-coated metal wheels are recommended for quiet operation and moderate load-bearing requirements |
| Outdoor Furniture | Metal (Stainless Steel) | Corrosion-resistant, weather-resistant |
When selecting a caster material, consider not only performance but also the total cost of ownership (TCO).
Table 3: Lifecycle Cost Analysis of Caster Materials (Example: 100 Casters)
| Material Type | Unit Price (RMB/unit) | Expected Lifespan (Years) | Replacement Frequency (5-Year Cycle) | Total Cost Over 5 Years (RMB) |
| Plastic Casters | 8-15 | 3 | 1-2 Replacements | 1200-3000 |
| Metal Casters | 30-80 | 7 | 0-1 Replacements | 3000-8000 |
In the short term, plastic casters are cheaper; in the long term, metal casters offer a lower unit cost, especially in high-frequency use scenarios.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight (to prevent aging)
Regularly clean hair and dust stuck in the axle
Check for detachment of the PU coating
Carbon steel wheels require regular rust prevention (oil spraying or galvanizing)
Regularly lubricate bearings to reduce friction
Check welds for cracks
When selecting furniture casters, consider a comprehensive consideration of factors such as load capacity requirements, operating environment, budget, and noise requirements:
Low load + quiet indoor environment → Plastic casters
High load + frequent movement → Metal casters
Medium load + noise control → PU-coated metal casters
Email: Giessencasters@gmail.com
Official Website: https://www.giessencasters.com
