Polyurethane VS Thermoplastic Rubber

November 02, 2020

When it comes to picking a caster, you might nd yourself a bit overwhelmed
with all the choices that are available. For general purposes (nothing
signicantly hot), polyurethane & thermoplastic rubber casters are a great
choice

These two types of materials are safe to use on hardwood & tile oors, but
are durable enough to roll on oors like rough concrete. Casters that have
wheels other than thermoplastic rubber & polyurethane have the possibility of
marking the oor or in some cases cause damage the oor over time.
Polyurethane & thermoplastic rubber caster's oor protective qualities really
makes them a general purpose caster.

The major difference between polyurethane & thermoplastic rubber is that
polyurethane holds more capacity. This becomes very apparent when higher
capacities are required. Thermoplastic rubber casters usually have to go up size
(wheel width, wheel diameter or both) to have a similar capacity. Hot, cold &
wet uses can shorten the life span polyurethane (especially polyurethane
treaded wheels). Chemicals can be harsh to polyurethane. Casters that have a
solid polyurethane wheels hold up much better to those type of conditions, but
the price reects that. Polyurethane tends to be less expensive than
thermoplastic rubber which is why some companies will choose polyurethane
over thermoplastic rubber; especially grocery chains with their shopping
carts.

Thermoplastic rubber wheels offer a smoother & quieter ride than
polyurethane. Its softer tread helps get over rough oors better than
polyurethane wheels, but typically holds less capacity. Thermoplastic rubber
caster are more durable than polyurethane. Thermoplastic rubber holds up well
when exposed to the weather & is resistant to chemicals, water, & steam. This
aspect of thermoplastic rubber really makes it a great general purpose material
to use on casters. Thermoplastic rubber is common on janitorial equipment as
its not too heavy, goes over oors that need protecting, yet its durable enough
to be rolling around in harsh cleaning solutions.
In general, when it comes down to guring out which type of caster is right for
you...

Consider your environment
- Consider your capacity
- Consider your height restrictions if any
- Consider your mounting solution (Stem or Plate)
- Consider the casters extent of use

Questions? Give us a call at (713)-227-1144 or contact us & a caster expert will
assist you

View our master list of casters https://mappcaster.com/pages/casters-main-menu

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