Are rubber casters suitable for use on icy and snowy roads?

Rubber casters perform poorly on icy and snowy roads, posing a significant safety hazard. This is primarily due to the mismatch between their material properties and the cold, slippery nature of icy and snowy conditions:

Severely Inadequate Anti-Slip Performance: The friction coefficient of icy and snowy surfaces is extremely low. Rubber hardens and loses its elasticity below 0°C, dramatically reducing friction with the ice, making it extremely prone to slipping and sliding (especially on slopes or when loaded). The anti-slip grooves also become ineffective at low temperatures.

Low-Temperature Brittleness: Low temperatures make rubber brittle, significantly reducing its wear and tear resistance. When rolling over impurities (gravel, ice particles) in ice and snow, the wheel tread is prone to cracking, chipping, or even breaking, significantly shortening its lifespan.

Ice and Snow Adhesion and Jamming: Ice and snow on the rubber wheel tread melt and then refreeze when in contact with cold temperatures, forming an "ice crust" in the tread, increasing rolling resistance, causing stalling, equipment shaking, and exacerbating slippage and wear.

Suitable only for short-term emergency situations (risk remains high):

Suitable only for very light snow accumulation/thin ice (<1 cm).

Low loads (≤30kg), low speeds, and short distances (<10 minutes).

Avoid slopes and crowded areas.

Recommended alternatives:

Polyurethane (PU)-coated casters: Offer superior flexibility and wear resistance at low temperatures compared to rubber, and the anti-slip tread provides enhanced grip.

Pneumatic tire casters: Highly elastic, with deep grooves (like snow tires) that dig into ice and snow, providing excellent grip, making them suitable for medium-to-heavy outdoor equipment.

Studded casters (metal/rubber): Studs penetrate the ice surface to provide strong grip, making them suitable for short, high-intensity operations in extreme snowy and icy conditions.

Summary: Rubber casters are not suitable for regular use on icy and snowy roads. They can become brittle at low temperatures, slip, and stick, leading to serious safety and wear issues. Polyurethane wheels, pneumatic tires, or studded wheels should be preferred for safety and durability.