Which materials for medical casters can withstand long-term corrosion from alcohol and chlorine-containing disinfectants?

Medical casters require highly chemically resistant materials to withstand the effects of alcohol and chlorine-containing disinfectants. The core material should cover the wheel body, wheel frame, and connectors:

Medical-grade polyurethane (PU): Modified by the addition of weathering agents, it can withstand long-term rubbing with 75% alcohol and chlorine-containing disinfectants up to 2000mg/L without swelling, cracking, or hardening. Medium-hard PU with a Shore hardness of 85-90A offers both wear and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for operating room carts and instrument transport carts.

Food-grade silicone: It is extremely chemically stable and unreactive to alcohol, chlorine-containing disinfectants (even peracetic acid). It also maintains stable performance even at high temperatures (121℃ steam sterilization), making it suitable for cleanroom equipment requiring frequent sterilization. However, it has a lower load-bearing capacity (<=80kg per wheel) and is primarily used for lightweight instruments. The wheel frame and metal components must meet the following requirements:

The main body should be made of 316 stainless steel: Molybdenum enhances chloride ion corrosion resistance, surpassing 304 stainless steel. This prevents rust and structural loosening caused by long-term disinfectant exposure, making it particularly suitable for the humid environment of the operating room.

Accessories such as bushings and bearings should be made of ceramic or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): Ceramic poses no risk of electrochemical corrosion, while PTFE's chemical resistance makes it compatible with nearly all disinfectants, and its low coefficient of friction eliminates the need for frequent lubrication.

Material choices should be made of standard rubber (which easily swells with alcohol) and electroplated carbon steel (disinfectants can damage the plating and cause rust). Material certification (e.g., FDA, USP Class VI) must be verified before use, and accelerated aging testing must be performed to verify compliance: after 500 disinfectant wipes, no noticeable deformation of the wheel body and no rust on the wheel frame is considered acceptable.