Wheel Materials vs. Chemical Compatibility Guide
Casters and Wheels need to operate in a wide range of environments. Chemical exposure can greatly reduce the lifespan of certain materials so it's essential to pick the right wheel materials as compared to the chemical environments those wheels will be exposed to. Use our guide to see what wheels best fit your application. As always if you have any questions give us a call or contact us.
Wheel Materials vs. Chemical Compatibility Guide
Casters and Wheels need to operate in a wide range of environments. Chemical exposure can greatly reduce the lifespan of certain materials so it's essential to pick the right wheel materials as compared to the chemical environments those wheels will be exposed to. Use our guide to see what wheels best fit your application. As always if you have any questions give us a call or contact us.
Sodium Hypochlorite
NaOCl
Sodium Hypochlorite Caster Compatibility
Chemical Overview
Molecular Formula: NaOCl
Physical Properties: Sodium hypochlorite is a pale yellow-green aqueous solution (e.g., bleach, 5-15% solutions), with a chlorine-like odor. It has a density of ~1.1 g/cm³ at 20°C (10% solution) and is unstable, decomposing over time. It is a strong oxidizer and corrosive. (Source: PubChem)
Industrial Applications
Sodium hypochlorite is used in:
- Disinfection: In water treatment and sanitation.
- Bleaching: In textile and paper industries.
- Cleaning: In household and industrial cleaning products.
- Exposure Scenarios: Spills in water treatment or cleaning facilities may contact caster wheels.
Wheel Material Compatibility Summary
Best Suited Materials (A/B Ratings): Polyolefin (A) resists oxidation and corrosion. Phenolic and Nylon (B) offer moderate resistance.
Materials to Avoid (C/D Ratings): Avoid metals (Ductile Cast Iron, Forged Steel) and elastomers (Rubber, Urethane) due to corrosion or degradation.
Wheel Compatibility Table
| Wheel Material | Interaction Description | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ductile Cast Iron | Corrodes rapidly due to oxidizer. | D |
| Elastomer | Degrades under oxidizing conditions. | D |
| Forged Steel | Prone to corrosion from hypochlorite. | D |
| Neoprene/Nylon Glass Core | Neoprene degrades; nylon resists moderately. | B |
| Nylon | Moderate resistance; minor degradation possible. | B |
| Nylon Glass Filled | Slightly better than nylon; still vulnerable. | B |
| Phenolic | Resistant to oxidative environments; moderate performance. | B |
| Polyolefin | Excellent resistance; unaffected. | A |
| Polyurethane on Aluminum Core | Polyurethane degrades; aluminum corrodes. | D |
| Polyurethane on Iron Core | Polyurethane degrades; iron corrodes. | D |
| Rubber | Rapid degradation from oxidizer exposure. | D |
| Solid Elastomer | Degrades in oxidative conditions. | D |
| Thermoplastic Rubber | Poor resistance to oxidizers; degrades. | D |
| Urethane | Degrades under oxidative exposure. | D |
| V-Grooved Iron | Corrodes due to oxidizer. | D |
Conclusion
Sodium hypochlorite’s oxidizing nature makes Polyolefin wheels (A rating) the best choice. Avoid metals (Ductile Cast Iron, Forged Steel) and elastomers (Rubber, Urethane) due to corrosion and degradation (D ratings). For assistance, contact CasterTech.