What is the difference between PU and nylon materials used in casters?

Physical Properties

Hardness:

PU: Offers a wide range of hardness (Shore 20A-90A), customizable. Soft PU offers excellent shock absorption and is suitable for uneven surfaces.

Nylon: Offers high hardness (Shore 70D-85D), excellent rigidity, and resists deformation when carrying heavy objects, making it suitable for flat surfaces.

Abrasion Resistance:

PU: Offers excellent wear resistance, slows wear, and protects the floor, making it suitable for locations with demanding flooring requirements, such as hospitals and laboratories.

Nylon: Offers strong wear resistance, but may leave marks with long-term wear. Caution is advised for applications requiring aesthetically pleasing flooring.

Elasticity:

PU: Offers excellent elasticity, quickly recovers from compression, adapts to uneven surfaces, and offers flexible steering.

Nylon: Offers poor elasticity and is susceptible to permanent deformation, affecting performance and appearance.

Chemical Properties

Corrosion Resistance:

PU: Resistant to oils, greases, and mild acids and alkalis, but can swell and degrade in strong acids, alkalis, or oxidants.

Nylon: Resistant to inorganic acids, alkalis, and salt solutions, but mechanical properties deteriorate (e.g., strength) after absorbing water.

Temperature Resistance:

PU: Suitable for temperatures between -20°C and 60°C. It can become hard, brittle, or sticky outside this range.

Nylon: Excellent heat resistance (80°C to 120°C), but can become brittle and have reduced toughness at low temperatures.

Application Scenarios

PU Casters: They offer shock absorption, quiet operation, and floor protection, making them suitable for medical equipment, office furniture, electronic transport vehicles, and indoor environments such as shopping malls and libraries.

Nylon Casters: They offer high load capacity and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for handling heavy equipment in factories and warehouses, as well as industrial environments exposed to chemicals.

In summary: PU focuses on shock absorption and floor protection, while nylon offers greater load-bearing properties and chemical resistance. The choice should be based on specific operating conditions.