Casters are often categorized according to the material from which they are made. There are phenolic casters made of a synthetic polymer known as phenolic, stainless steel casters made of stainless steel, cast iron casters made of cast iron, and more. There are also pneumatic and semi-pneumatic casters, however. They offer a superior level of shock absorption, making them ideal for use on uneven surfaces.
What Are Pneumatic Casters?
Pneumatic casters are characterized by an air-filled construction. Unlike most other casters, they don’t feature solid wheels. Pneumatic casters still feature wheels attached to a mountable frame, but the wheels are hollow rather than solid.
The term “pneumatic” means filled with air or gas under pressure. Pneumatic casters feature air-filled tires — similar to those on a car or bicycle. The tires are typically made of rubber and have an inner tube to prevent leaks. As they are filled with air, the tires will inflate. You can find them in different sizes and styles, but all pneumatic casters feature air-filled tires.
What Are Semi-Pneumatic Casters?
Semi-pneumatic casters are characterized by a partially air-filled construction. As their name suggests, they are essentially a cross between traditional solid casters and pneumatic casters.
Most semi-pneumatic casters feature rubber or foam tires with pockets of air. These air pockets create cushioning while allowing the casters to absorb shock.
Differences Between Pneumatic and Semi-Pneumatic Casters?
Pneumatic and semi-pneumatic casters both offer excellent shock absorption, but they differ in several ways. For starters, pneumatic casters contain pressurized air, whereas semi-pneumatic casters do not.
Pneumatic casters are often pressurized to 25 to 50 pounds per square (PSI). Semi-pneumatic casters, on the other hand, aren’t pressurized. Instead, they feature pockets of air, which creates cushioning to absorb shock in a similar manner.
Fully pneumatic casters, though, offer better shock absorption than their semi-pneumatic counterparts. They can handle rough and uneven surfaces while stabilizing the objects with which they are used.
Semi-pneumatic casters require less maintenance. Since they don’t contain pressurized with, you won’t have to worry about punctures or leaks. This translates into less time on maintenance.
In Conclusion
When shopping for casters, you may encounter pneumatic and semi-pneumatic casters. They are two of the most popular types of shock-absorbing casters. Pneumatic casters contain pressurized air, whereas semi-pneumatic casters contain pockets of air. There are other nuances between them, but the main difference is that pneumatic casters are pressurized, whereas semi-pneumatic casters are not.