Summary
Compare carbon steel, stainless steel and nylon ball transfer unit materials.
Learn which suits your load, environment and surface in this materials guide.
Ball transfer units are made in three main material families: carbon chrome steel for hard-wearing general use, stainless steel for wet, corrosive or hygienic environments, and nylon for non-marking contact with delicate surfaces such as glass. The right choice depends on load, operating environment and the sensitivity of the items being moved. Alwayse offers all three across its range of 132 units, plus specialist materials for extreme conditions.
Material choice has a direct impact on performance, service life and total cost of ownership — the wrong material leads to corrosion, surface damage or unnecessary expense. The table below summarises the decision; the sections that follow explain each material in detail. You can also filter units directly by material type on the Alwayse site.
Carbon chrome steel
Carbon chrome steel is the standard material for most ball transfer unit applications worldwide. Hardened through heat treatment such as carburising, it offers an excellent combination of surface hardness, wear resistance and value, and is lubricated for life. It is the right choice for general manufacturing, warehousing, machine tables and loading docks — any dry indoor environment without significant corrosion risk. Its one limitation is corrosion: exposed to moisture or chemicals, carbon steel rusts, so wet settings need stainless.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel ball transfer units are built for environments where corrosion resistance and hygiene are critical. Stainless resists rust from water, steam, mild acids, cleaning chemicals and salt air. Fully stainless units — housing, load ball and support balls all stainless — give the highest protection; partial options (stainless housing, carbon internals) offer a middle ground for milder wet settings. Stainless carries a price premium and is marginally softer than heat-treated carbon steel, but for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cold-store, marine and washdown applications the longer service life and compliance justify the cost.
Nylon
Nylon load balls are specified when the items being moved have surfaces vulnerable to scratching or marking. Significantly softer than steel, nylon supports the load without marking glass, polished aluminium, painted panels or coated surfaces, runs quietly, is chemically inert and will not corrode. It is the standard choice in glass processing and automotive paint shops. Its limitations are a lower load capacity than steel and unsuitability for high temperatures or sustained heavy static loads.
Specialist materials
For extreme conditions, Alwayse can supply beyond the three main families. Ceramic balls withstand very high temperatures for steel processing and furnace loading. PEEK and Torlon are high-performance polymers combining heat resistance, chemical resistance and low friction for specialist industrial and aerospace use. Acetal offers a non-marking alternative to nylon for medium- and light-duty gentle handling. Where no standard material fits, Alwayse produces custom units tailored to the environment.
How to decide
In most cases three questions settle it. Will the units meet moisture, chemicals or washdown? If yes, choose stainless steel. Could the handled items be scratched by metal? If yes, choose nylon. Is the environment dry, indoor and free of hygiene requirements? If yes, carbon chrome steel offers the best value. Applications with combined challenges — a wet environment and delicate surfaces, say — may need a combination such as a stainless housing with nylon balls; the Alwayse technical team can advise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common material for ball transfer units?
Carbon chrome steel. It offers the best combination of hardness, durability and value for general industrial use in dry indoor environments, and it is the most widely specified material across the Alwayse range.
Will steel ball transfer units scratch glass?
Yes. Carbon and chrome steel balls are very hard and will scratch or mark glass. For glass handling, specify units with nylon balls, which provide a softer, non-marking contact surface.
Can ball transfer units operate at high temperatures?
Standard units operate roughly between −20°C and +80°C. For higher temperatures, specialist options including ceramic balls and high-temperature polymers such as PEEK are available, and Alwayse can produce custom high-temperature variants.
Are nylon ball transfer units as strong as steel?
No. Nylon has a lower load capacity than steel and is not suited to heavy-duty or high-temperature use. It is the correct choice when protecting the surface finish of the handled item is the priority.