How does the dimensional stability of casters affect their performance in low-temperature environments?

The dimensional stability of casters significantly impacts performance in low-temperature environments, directly impacting rolling smoothness, structural safety, and service life. The following analyzes the key impact dimensions:

1. Rolling Function Stability
Low temperatures can easily cause uneven material contraction or expansion. Casters with poor dimensional stability can experience improper fit between the wheel and axle:

If the wheel shrinks excessively (e.g., exceeding 1%), the clearance between the axle and the wheel hole decreases, potentially causing "stuck" or even jamming, and a sudden increase in pushing resistance.

In highly absorbent materials (such as ordinary PA) in low-temperature, high-humidity environments, freezing of water can cause localized expansion of the wheel, resulting in eccentric rolling and increased wear.

2. Structural Integrity Risks
Dimensional instability can lead to stress concentration:

If gaps form at the connection between the wheel and the bracket due to shrinkage, loosening and unusual noises can occur during load-bearing, potentially leading to wheel detachment over extended use.

In spliced wheels (e.g., rubber-coated steel core) with significantly different shrinkage rates, they are prone to delamination and cracking at low temperatures, resulting in a loss of load-bearing capacity.

3. Reduced Floor Adaptability
Casters with poor dimensional stability are prone to wheel deformation in low temperatures:

A round wheel may shrink to an elliptical shape, causing the contact area with the ground to fluctuate during rolling, resulting in increased vibration and noise.

Uneven wheel tread hardness (such as localized shrinkage and hardening) can cause unbalanced force distribution, leaving irregular indentations on soft surfaces (such as vinyl flooring), shortening the lifespan of the floor.

4. Increased Maintenance Costs
Dimensional instability accelerates component wear:

Abnormal friction between the axle and the wheel hole can cause premature bearing wear, requiring frequent replacement.

Repeated expansion and contraction accelerate wheel aging, shortening overall service life, especially in environments with frequent freeze-thaw cycles.

Therefore, in low-temperature environments, materials with low shrinkage (<0.5%) and low water absorption (such as cold-resistant PU) should be prioritized to ensure dimensional stability and maintain caster performance.