Iron core casters and aluminum core casters are two common types of casters, and they differ significantly in material, performance, and application scenarios.
Material Difference
The main difference in weight between iron and aluminum core casters comes from the density of their respective materials. Iron (a ferromagnetic metal) has a density of approximately 7.87 g/cm³, while aluminum (a light metal) has a density of approximately 2.70 g/cm³. This means that iron casters will weigh significantly more than aluminum casters for the same size and shape. Therefore, if you are looking for a lightweight caster option, aluminum core casters would be a more suitable choice. However, iron core casters typically offer higher load capacity and durability, which makes them suitable for application scenarios where heavier loads need to be carried. When choosing casters, you should base your decision to use iron or aluminum core casters on the actual application’s load requirements, mobility needs, and cost considerations.
Iron core caster adopts iron material, which has high strength, but is relatively heavy and easily affected by environmental corrosion. In contrast, aluminum core casters use aluminum alloy as the core material, which is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and has high strength.
Performance Differences
Due to the difference in materials, the lightweight nature of aluminum core casters makes the entire caster more flexible when moving, making them suitable for situations that require frequent movement and steering. Iron core casters, on the other hand, provide better stability, but may be slightly more awkward in terms of movement and steering. Aluminum core casters are more resistant to corrosion and can be adapted to a wider range of environments, while iron core casters may require more frequent maintenance and replacement in wet or corrosive environments.
Application Scenario Differences
Aluminum core casters are more suitable for light equipments that require frequent movement and steering, such as medical equipments, supermarket shelves, etc. due to their lightweight and flexible characteristics. Iron core casters are more suitable for equipment that need to carry heavy loads or need to run stably for a long time, such as industrial production lines, heavy machinery, etc. due to its good stability and strong load-bearing capacity.
Price and maintenance costs
Aluminum core casters are usually slightly more expensive than iron core casters, which is related to the processing difficulty and performance advantages of their material. However, in terms of long-term maintenance costs, aluminum core casters tend to reduce maintenance frequency and replacement costs due to their corrosion and wear resistance. Iron core casters may require more frequent maintenance and replacement in specific environments, so long-term maintenance costs may be relatively high.
In summary, the choice of iron core casters or aluminum core casters should be based on specific application requirements and use of the environment for comprehensive consideration.
Post time: Jun-20-2025