Normal temperature limits of our standard wheels and castors is 0°C to 60°C. In colder or hotter conditions they behave differently.
• Low Temperature: Below 0°C specify temperature of use when ordering. Standard grease in our castors is a lithium complex grease, with excellent water resistance, bearing retention and long life. Below 5°C it begins to stiffen quickly, and will freeze the bearings. Specified at time of ordering, we use aeronautical grease which is a synthetic oil with a microgel thickener. It is used down to -73°C, and should be refreshed every 6-12 months.
At lower temperatures rubber and polyurethane stiffen becoming less elastic. For example, the polyurethane on the 'H' series slowly stiffens from +20°C down to -20°C, but then rapidly stiffens until at -50°C it becomes brittle. At temperatures below 0°C, nylon becomes brittle, particularly in the dry air of freezing rooms. We recommend fibreglass reinforced wheels down to -30°C. For very cold conditions try a set of wheels first.
• High Temperature: Above 60°C specify temperature of use when ordering. As temperatures increase tyre materials become softer, and this lowers capacity. At still higher temperatures the materials begins to deteriorate, shortening working life. As a general rule you can use any product at its normal load up to 60°C. Thereafter you must show some care.
Polyurethane tyres retain most of their properties up to 90°C even for long periods (apart from a gradual lowering of load capacity) and can be used for short periods at even higher temperatures. However, caution is needed. For example, at 100°C they lose only 5% of their tensile strength after 20 days, but at 120°C they are down to 50% in 20 days, while at 150°C they are down to only 15% in 5 days. Fibreglass reinforced nylon wheels are the preferred wheel for extended periods up to 210°C (assuming most of their life is spent outside the oven), and for short periods up to 230°C.
Phenolic wheels (with special inorganic fillers) are the preferred wheel for extended periods up to 260°C (K type) or 320°C (W type) assuming most of their life is spent outside the oven, or for short periods 20°C above that. These have a thick cross section, but are more brittle than nylon or ordinary grades of phenolic.
For sustained high temperature we offer a range of cast iron wheels (cast iron will damage concrete), used with very high temperature grease. High temperatures affect greases, seals, etc. Consult Technical Information

Nylon
Glass
reinforced

J Series
100@210°C