Caster Material Comparison: PU, TPR, Rubber or Nylon — Which One Fits Best ?
In various handling equipment such as material carts, cage trolleys, logistics platforms, medical carts and furniture, the swivel caster plays an indispensable role. It offers 360° free rotation, enabling equipment to navigate narrow aisles or complex paths with agility, significantly improving handling efficiency and operator experience.
However, a swivel caster is not just “a wheel”. Its performance and lifespan depend largely on material selection. Different materials differ in load capacity, wear resistance, quietness, shock absorption, and floor protection. Choosing the wrong material may lead to difficult operation, floor damage or equipment failure.
In this article, we will look deep into four common caster materials: PU (polyurethane), TPR (thermoplastic rubber), rubber and nylon. We'll analyze their advantages, limitations, suitable environments and industrial cases, and provide purchase suggestions to help companies find the most appropriate solution.
1. PU Swivel Casters: A Balanced Choice of Quietness and Durability
PU (polyurethane) swivel casters are currently one of the most popular materials, offering a good balance of load capacity, quiet operation and wear resistance.
Features & advantages:
- Excellent wear resistance: more durable than rubber, longer lifespan.
- Good quietness: rolls smoothly with low noise, ideal for low-noise environments.
- Strong floor protection: less likely to leave marks, suitable for wooden or tile floors.
- Medium to high load capacity: supports most commercial and industrial applications.
Limitations:
- Slightly higher cost: more expensive than rubber or TPR.
- Not suited for high temperatures: prolonged use in high-temperature environments will shorten lifespan.
Suitable applications:
- Supermarket carts: reduce noise, protect floors.
- Medical equipment: combining quietness and durability.
- Logistics cage trolleys and platform carts: medium/high load, long-distance transport.
2. TPR Swivel Casters: Quiet, Slip-Resistant and Environment-Friendly Choice
TPR (thermoplastic rubber) swivel casters combine the softness of rubber with the durability of plastic, offering both comfort and quiet rolling.
Features & advantages:
- Ultra quiet: very low sound during rolling, suitable for quiet environments.
- Good elasticity: effectively absorbs vibration and impact, protecting cargo.
- Good slip resistance: stable on smooth floors.
- Minimal floor marking: highly suitable for areas where floor appearance must be preserved.
Limitations:
- Lower load capacity: not suitable for ultra-heavy equipment.
- Average wear resistance: under continuous heavy load the lifespan is less than PU or nylon.
Suitable applications:
- Hospital beds and medical carts: where quietness and anti-slip are required.
- Office furniture and equipment: avoid floor scratches.
- Retail carts: enhance customer experience and reduce noise disturbance.
3. Rubber Swivel Casters: Economical and Cushioning Option
Rubber swivel casters are the most traditional and widely used wheel material, favored for its cushioning ability and cost-effectiveness.
Features & advantages:
- Affordable price: lowest cost, high cost-performance.
- Good cushioning effect: absorbs vibration, protects cargo.
- Strong slip resistance: suitable for uneven or wet floors.
- High grip: advantageous on slopes or rough surfaces.
Limitations:
- Fast wear: prone to cracks or chipping.
- May leave marks: could leave black scuffs on light-colored floors.
- Limited load capacity: not suitable for long-term heavy load.
Suitable applications:
- Factory workshop: short-distance material handling.
- Outdoor use: rough surfaces or damp environments.
- Construction sites: need strong grip and cushioning.
4. Nylon Swivel Casters: Heavy-Duty Industrial Choice for High Load and Durability
Nylon swivel casters are known for high strength and durability, making them the preferred choice in industrial and heavy-load applications.
Features & advantages:
- High load capacity: supports heavy machinery and large quantities of goods.
- High wear resistance: suitable for long-term frequent use.
- Good chemical resistance: resists oil and some chemicals.
- Moderate cost: more economical than PU.
Limitations:
- High noise: rolling noise is large, not suitable for quiet environments.
- Poor cushioning: almost no shock absorption.
- Might scratch floors: hard material needs caution on smooth floors.
Suitable applications:
- Warehouse logistics: high-load cage trolleys, rack push carts.
- Industrial production lines: large equipment movement.
- Outdoor engineering: durable and able to withstand rough surfaces.
5. Material Comparison Table
| Material | Load Capacity | Wear Resistance | Quietness | Shock Absorption | Floor Protection | Suitable Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU | Medium-High | High | Medium-High | Medium | Good | Supermarkets, logistics, medical |
| TPR | Medium-Low | Medium | High | High | Excellent | Hospitals, offices, retail |
| Rubber | Medium-Low | Low | Medium | High | Ordinary | Factories, outdoors, construction |
| Nylon | High | High | Low | Low | Ordinary | Warehousing, industry, heavy-load |
6. Purchase Suggestions: How to Choose the Right Swivel Caster?
1. Based on industry needs:
- Medical, retail: prioritize quietness and anti-slip → recommend TPR, PU.
- Factory, logistics: focus on load capacity and wear-resistance → recommend Nylon, PU.
- Outdoor or construction site: need shock-absorption and impact resistance → recommend Rubber.
2. Consider floor type:
- Tile, wood: PU, TPR to avoid floor damage.
- Concrete, epoxy: Nylon, Rubber more durable.
3. Usage frequency & lifespan:
- High-frequency use: PU or Nylon for longer lifespan.
- Short-term or low-frequency use: Rubber or TPR for better cost-performance.
7. TFCaster's Swivel Caster Solutions
As a professional manufacturer of industrial casters and swivel wheels, TFCaster (TF Caster Co., Ltd) offers a diversified product line across materials, structures and specifications to meet different industry handling needs.
Our advantages include:
- Complete product range: covering PU, TPR, rubber, nylon swivel casters, from light to heavy applications.
- Professional selection recommendations: based on floor type, load requirements and usage environment to provide the most suitable combination.
- High-quality manufacturing: Taiwan-made, rigorous quality inspection to ensure durability and stability.
- Customization service: supports special sizes, high temperature, anti-static, shock-proof functional requirements.
- Broad application experience: logistics, medical, retail, electronics, manufacturing and other industries have used our solutions.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Material to Maximise Your Swivel Caster's Effectiveness
Although small in appearance, a swivel caster is a core component in material handling and logistics systems. Choosing among PU, TPR, rubber or nylon must be judged based on actual application scenario and requirements - only then can you balance efficiency, lifespan and safety.
If you are looking for the most suitable swivel caster material or solution, TFCaster stands ready with professional design and manufacturing experience to provide you the best recommendation and product support, helping your equipment achieve higher efficiency and greater stability.
Contact us today to receive customised swivel caster configuration suggestions!