A wheel’s construction has a big impact on its functionality and applicability.  Often one material is used for the tread (portion of the wheel that makes contact with the ground) and another for the hub (portion of the wheel that provides structural integrity). Sometimes a wheel’s tread and hub are constructed of the same material.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the more common categories of wheel treads…

 

 

 

Polyurethane wheels offer great floor protection, water tolerance, and chemical/oil resistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metal wheels reject debris, can tolerate high temperatures, and offer high load capacities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nylon wheels perform well in wet conditions, resist chemicals/oils, and are rated for a wide variety of temperatures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rubber wheels are floor protective, quiet, and resist debris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phenolic wheels are easy rolling, offer high load capacities and resist chemicals/oils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polyolefin wheels tolerate water/steam, resist chemicals/oils, and are economical.