{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Bulldog Castors Blog","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.bulldogcastors.co.uk\/blog","title":"Rubber Castors Vs Polyurethane Castors ? - Bulldog Castors Blog","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"aFbbHaQJM3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bulldogcastors.co.uk\/blog\/rubber-castors-vs-polyurethane-castors\/\">Rubber Castors Vs Polyurethane Castors ?<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bulldogcastors.co.uk\/blog\/rubber-castors-vs-polyurethane-castors\/embed\/#?secret=aFbbHaQJM3\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Rubber Castors Vs Polyurethane Castors ?&#8221; &#8212; Bulldog Castors Blog\" data-secret=\"aFbbHaQJM3\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";var e=!1,o=!1;if(l.querySelector)if(d.addEventListener)e=!0;if(d.wp=d.wp||{},!d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage)if(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(t)if(t.secret||t.message||t.value)if(!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var r,a,i,s=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),n=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),c=0;c<n.length;c++)n[c].style.display=\"none\";for(c=0;c<s.length;c++)if(r=s[c],e.source===r.contentWindow){if(r.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message){if(1e3<(i=parseInt(t.value,10)))i=1e3;else if(~~i<200)i=200;r.height=i}if(\"link\"===t.message)if(a=l.createElement(\"a\"),i=l.createElement(\"a\"),a.href=r.getAttribute(\"src\"),i.href=t.value,o.test(i.protocol))if(i.host===a.host)if(l.activeElement===r)d.top.location.href=t.value}}},e)d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",t,!1),d.addEventListener(\"load\",t,!1);function t(){if(!o){o=!0;for(var e,t,r,a=-1!==navigator.appVersion.indexOf(\"MSIE 10\"),i=!!navigator.userAgent.match(\/Trident.*rv:11\\.\/),s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),n=0;n<s.length;n++){if(!(r=(t=s[n]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\")))r=Math.random().toString(36).substr(2,10),t.src+=\"#?secret=\"+r,t.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",r);if(a||i)(e=t.cloneNode(!0)).removeAttribute(\"security\"),t.parentNode.replaceChild(e,t);t.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:r},\"*\")}}}}(window,document);\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/www.bulldogcastors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Polyurethane-Castors-Vs-Rubber-Castors.png","thumbnail_width":932,"thumbnail_height":447,"description":"Rubber Castors Vs Polyurethane Castors Rubber Castors and Polyurethane Castors are common choice within the material handling industry.\u00a0 They are often used interchangeably, without regard to their unique properties and are typically found on around 80% of all industrial applications. Within this article will look at the Similarities and Differences of each material to ensure that the designer or specifier can make an informed decision of the correct castor for a specific application. This article will discuss various characteristics including; Roll Resistance Resilience &amp; Cushioning Load Capacity Wear and Abrasion Resistance Cutting &amp; Chunking Floor Marking &amp; Protection So, which are better?\u00a0 Polyurethane Castors Vs Rubber Castors? Unfortunately, (or perhaps fortunately), neither material can be deemed better than the other in general terms, and it is necessary to consider the application in which the Castor Wheel will be used and the mechanical properties and characteristics that are required for the particular application.\u00a0 Whilst both materials fall within the broad category of \u201cPolymers\u201d they have various advantages over each other.\u00a0 It is therefore important that the characteristics of both Rubber Castors and Polyurethane Castors are considered and understood before a material selection is made. &nbsp; A Brief History of Polymers in the Industrial Market. Natural Rubber (NR) has a long history, in which various processing methods have been invented over the centuries. Natural Rubber was originally discovered around 1600BC, coming from the sap of the Para Rubber Tree, however it wasn\u2019t until the late 18th century that Natural Rubber was \u201cIndustrialised\u201d with the invention by Charles Goodyear who discovered the process of Vulcanisation. This process is still widely used to this day, including in the manufacture of Rubber Castors. For further information, a detailed history of Natural Rubber can be found at the following link: https:\/\/www.bulldogcastors.co.uk\/blog\/history-of-natural-rubber\/ Polyurethane is a more recently developed materials, in comparison to Natural Rubber, having been developed in the 1930\u2019s, by Dr Otto Bayer.\u00a0 Polyurethane is a synthetic (man-made) material and was developed due to the availability of natural rubber being restricted in past history due to wars and political restrictions.\u00a0 Today Polyurethane comes in various grades and forms and is widely used in Polyurethane Castors.\u00a0 For further information, a background on Polyurethane Wheels can be found at the following link: https:\/\/www.bulldogcastors.co.uk\/blog\/polyurethane-caster-wheels\/ Generally speaking, Polyurethane Castors are more expensive than Rubber Castors, in the region of 30-50% higher.\u00a0 It is therefore important that the best material is selected whilst taking into account the commercial costs of the selection. &nbsp; Rubber Castors Vs. Polyurethane Castors \u2013 Mechanical Properties As discussed above, Rubber Castors and Polyurethane Castors both have their advantages, both offering unique properties to each other. For example, it is common to find equipment which is used outdoors or on rough surfaces to be fitted with Rubber Castors, whilst equipment which is used indoors on smooth floor surfaces are commonly fitted with Polyurethane Castors. Why? It is primarily due to the flooring surface, which is an important consideration for all Castor Wheel Selections.\u00a0 Natural Rubber Castors provide higher grip, better traction and a softer ride over rough terrain compared to Polyurethane Castors. Whilst, Polyurethane Castors provide higher Load Capacity, Wear Resistance and Roll Resistance compared to Rubber Castors. \u00a0 Roll Resistance Roll Resistance is an important characteristic for the majority of applications.\u00a0 The lower the roll resistance, the easier it is to manoeuvre the equipment, reducing operator fatigue and increasing the efficiency of the equipment. Polyurethane Castors generally have a lower roll resistance than Rubber Castors.\u00a0 This is primarily due to the synthetic nature of the Polyurethane providing a more homogenous material, in comparison to rubber.\u00a0 The highly consistent mixture of the material provides constant levels of rolling friction. Secondly, Polyurethane Castors can be manufactured in slightly harder compounds, up to approx. 90-95shore A, whilst Rubber Castors typically have a hardness of approx. 75-85sh A. Material hardness has a big impact on the Roll Resistance.\u00a0 The harder the material, the lower the roll resistance.\u00a0 This is due to the deformation that is experienced on the Castor Wheel tread.\u00a0 The more deformation (due to softer materials) the higher the effort to roll the wheel.\u00a0 (Imagine trying to push a car with a deflated tire!) Roll Resistance &#8211;\u00a0 Polyurethane Castors Win! &nbsp; Resilience &amp; Cushioning Cushioning &amp; Resilience of a Castor Wheel affects the comfort or smoothness of the \u201cride\u201d. This \u201cSmoothness\u201d characteristic is achieved by the Castor Wheel material absorbing any bumps, obstacles and roughness of the flooring surface. The level of Cushioning or Resilience is determined by the stiffness of the wheel.\u00a0 (i.e. How much does the rubber or polyurethane wheel deform when it runs over a bump or obstacle). In the case of Solid Wheels such as Polyurethane Castors and Polyurethane Castors the Cushioning \/ Resilience is determined by the hardness of the Polyurethane or Rubber. However, it should also be noted that there are special types of Castors which control cushioning and resilience in different ways, for example \u201cSpring Loaded\u201d Castors, or \u201cPneumatic\u201d Castors. As mentioned within the \u201cRoll Resistance Section\u201d, Rubber Castors are typically manufactured in 75-85 Shore A, whereas Polyurethane Castors are typically manufactured in 90-95 Shore A. The higher the Shore rating, the harder the material. Therefore, the softer the material, the more it will deform when ran over a bump or obstacle and the higher the absorption, resulting in a smoother ride. It should be noted that generally speaking the higher the cushioning, the higher the roll resistance. It is therefore important that both characteristics are considered together as to which property is most important. Whilst it is possible for both Rubber and Polyurethane to be manufactured in much softer rubbers (at least 30 Shore A), Rubber retains certain key characteristics at lower (softer) shore hardness, such as Tear Strength, and for this reason Polyurethane Castors are generally harder than Rubber Castors.\u00a0 Therefore, Rubber Castors (normally) provide better cushioning than Polyurethane Castors. It should be noted that for many applications, particularly indoor applications on smooth flooring the Castor wheel material..."}