Forklift Tires: Non-Marking Rubber Compounds for Warehouse Flooring.

Forklift Tires: Non-Marking Rubber Compounds for Warehouse Flooring

Problem Statement

Standard SBR forklift tires leave black scuff marks on epoxy-coated warehouse floors. These marks require daily cleaning, increasing operational costs. The compounding challenge: achieve zero-marking while maintaining 50+ Shore A hardness, 15 MPa tensile strength, and 300% elongation for load-bearing capacity.

Material Science Analysis

SBR fails due to carbon black filler migration. RubberQ's solution uses silica-reinforced EPDM with polyethylene glycol (PEG) plasticizer. The EPDM backbone provides ozone resistance, while PEG prevents silica agglomeration for consistent hardness. No carbon black means no marking.

Technical Specifications

• Shore A Hardness: 55 ±3
• Tensile Strength: 16.2 MPa (ASTM D412)
• Elongation at Break: 320%
• Temperature Range: -30°C to +100°C
• Compression Set (22 hrs @ 70°C): 18% (ASTM D395)
• Cleanroom Compliance: ISO 3601 Class A for particulate shedding

Parameter	Silica-EPDM (RubberQ)	Carbon Black SBR	TPU (Thermoplastic)
Marking Potential	0 (No visible transfer)	High (Black marks)	Low (Yellowing over time)
Load Capacity (kg/cm²)	42	45	38
Abrasion Resistance (mm³ loss, DIN 53516)	80	60	110
Chemical Resistance (24h immersion)	Resists alkalis, detergents	Degrades in oils	Attacked by polar solvents

Standard Compliance

RubberQ's IATF 16949-certified process controls:

• Batch-to-batch viscosity variance <5% (Mooney viscometer per ASTM D1646)
• Post-cure dimensional tolerance ±0.5mm on tire profiles
• 100% adhesion testing per ASTM D429 for multi-layer tires

For custom material compound development or IATF 16949 documentation, consult RubberQ's engineering department.