What Are The Benefits of Using Polyurethane Castor Wheels?

At Rolltek International, we design, manufacture, and supply a variety of castor wheels in different sizes and materials, for use in industrial, commercial, educational, and health settings. Our castors are designed to offer optimum efficiency and durability, at a cost-effective price, so you can enjoy the confidence that they’ll improve productivity on your premises without premature wear.

If you’re currently deciding which castor wheels are most suited to the needs of your business, it can be tricky choosing the correct product. Polyurethane (PU) castor wheels are a popular option, offering many advantages over other materials, such as steel and rubber.

Polyurethane castors: a brief guide

Polyurethane is a plastic material which can be manufactured in many different forms. Because of its versatility – it can be fabricated to be rigid or flexible – it is used in many applications, including insulation, motoring components, sportwear, tyres, and shoe soles.

PU castors are manufactured using polyurethane to provide a strong and durable surface finish. Because the ingredients of each PU mix can be altered, different levels of hardness can be created, for example to make soft polyurethane castors.

The benefits of PU castors

If you’re weighing up polyurethane vs. rubber castor wheels or steel wheels, it’s important to understand the benefits of PU castors:

Noise Reduction In some workplaces, such as supermarkets and libraries, it’s important that castors on trolleys and roll-cages make only minimal noise, to prevent disturbing customers. PU castors are widely chosen for their noise-reducing capability, as they are considerably quieter than the alternatives. PU is an excellent shock absorber on uneven surfaces, reducing vibration and minimising noise output.

Floor Protection PU castors offer smooth operation on different surfaces, without leaving marks or causing damage to the floor. Because they absorb impacts effectively and cover a larger surface area than other wheels, PU castors reduce the stress to flooring, which is especially important in industrial premises and laboratories where floors are often expensive to replace.

Chemical and Corrosion Resistance In industrial settings, spillages of chemical, grease, oils, or cleaning agents are less likely to damage PU castors than other types of wheels, such as steel. This prevents premature wear, reducing costs and maintaining excellent performance levels.

Effective Grip and Traction The efficient movement of trolleys or roll-cages is important to maintain high levels of productivity. Ergonomic polyurethane castors offer less resistance than rubber wheels, without compromising on traction. Therefore, trolleys laden with heavy goods can be moved easily, without a loss of control or direction.

Find out more

If you’re a maintenance manager in a warehouse, hospital, retail store, or manufacturing plant, polyurethane castor wheels will offer considerable benefits to your organisation.
To find out more about the range of PU wheels we supply, please call 01788 229400,  or email sales@rolltek.co.uk.