A metal-core wheel pairs a polymer or rubber tread with a cast iron, steel, or aluminum core. It's the construction that lets a floor-friendly tread reach heavy-duty capacity — the tread protects the floor and rolls quiet, the metal core does the load-bearing, up to 22,800 lb per wheel.
On a metal-core wheel, the visible tread — polyurethane, rubber, Plastex — sets the floor behavior: marking or non-marking, quiet or loud, cushioned or firm. The core you don't see sets the capacity. A polyurethane tread on a polyolefin core tops out near 1,000 lb; the same tread on a cast iron or forged steel core reaches into the tens of thousands. Buying a metal-core wheel means you're paying for capacity headroom the all-polymer version can't deliver.
Any time the load exceeds what an all-polymer wheel handles but you still need the floor protection, quiet roll, or chemical resistance of the tread material. It's the standard construction for heavy industrial carts, machine bases, and transfer equipment on finished floors.
A solid metal wheel is metal all the way through — maximum capacity but harsh on floors. A metal-core wheel adds a polymer tread for floor protection while keeping most of the capacity.
Cast iron and steel cores can surface-rust in wet environments — aluminum cores don't. For washdown, spec an aluminum or stainless core.
Up to 22,800 lb per wheel on a heavy forged or cast core. The tread material caps lower than the core, so confirm both.
Our US-based caster engineers will match the right build to your load, floor, and application.
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