Why Aluminium Power Wheelchair Material Is Preferred for Lightweight Mobility

The frame material is very important when selecting an electric wheelchair; it determines the ease with which an individual can carry, store as well as maneuver the chair. Steel is powerful, yet dense. Carbon fiber is very light, yet costly. Aluminium is in the golden mean: it is light enough to be carried around on an everyday basis, it is strong enough to be used on a regular basis, and it is affordable by the average buyer. In Ningbo Baichen Medical Devices Co., Ltd. we have produced thousands of aluminium power wheelchairs in our 20,000 m2 plant. Four reasons explaining why aluminium is the material to use in lightweight mobility have been listed below.

Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio

The strength to weight ratio, or how much weight the frame can safely carry compared to its own weight is the most important property of any mobility device. The aluminium alloys provide something like 60-70% strength of mild steel with just 33% of the weight. This implies that it is possible to create an aluminium frame with the same weight-bearing capacity as steel and have a much lower weight.

We have aluminium power wheelchairs with a typical weight of 20-25 kg in contrast to 30-50 kg with steel models. That 10-20 kg difference is colossal when you have to fit the chair into a car trunk, up the stairs or through a door. Users receive an easy to handle chair without compromising on the structural integrity of the chair to be used in day to day life.

Natural Corrosion Resistance for Longevity

Wheelchairs get subjected to rain and humidity, spilled beverages and cleaning chemicals. Steel frames are to be multi-layer powder coated or painted to avoid rust. When such coating is scratched, rust starts at once endangering safety and outlook.

On being exposed to air, aluminium will naturally develop a protective oxide layer. The oxide layer regenerates even when the surface is scratched, so it will not incur any further corrosion. This is because our aluminium power wheelchairs will last longer in the real world environment without heavy paint that is chip prone. The corrosion resistance of aluminium is a significant benefit of the material over steel to users in coastal (high humidity and salt air) environments or those who often have to go outside in wet weather.

Responsive and Agile Maneuverability

The wheelchair is responsive because the lightweight aluminium frames give it a sense of responsiveness. The heavy steel chair is more difficult to accelerate, turn and stop, consuming more motor torque and being sluggish.

Our aluminium power wheelchairs will accelerate faster than a stop, turn with less effort and predictable stops. This is particularly needed by users who move in small areas (inside the kitchen, bathroom, elevator) or in crowded areas (sidewalks, shops, buses, subways). The chair will be a part of you and not a machine that weighs down on you and which you struggle to control. The caregivers also like the decreased amount of pushing needed when the battery is weak, or when the chair is being operated manually.

Affordable Lightweight Performance

Carbon fiber power wheelchairs have an even lower weight (below 12-15 kg) but at a much higher price-point- two times the price of aluminium. To most users, the premium is not worth the extra weight-saving of carbon fiber.

Our aluminium power wheelchairs provide 80-90% of the weight advantage of carbon fiber at 40-50% the price. This is why aluminium is the best option in the healthcare, insurance payments and even to individual consumers who desire a lightweight chair that will not strain their finances. The funds saved can be directed to improved batteries, improved seating or necessary accessories.

Conclusion

Lightweight mobility using aluminium is the best due to its exceptional strength-to-weight, natural resistance to corrosion, maneuverability, and low cost performance. To users that require a daily driver which can be carried and handled without the expensive price of carbon fiber, aluminium is the intelligent option.

We are Ningbo Baichen medical devices co. Ltd. where we produce aluminium power wheelchairs with 60 frame processing machines, robotic welding and 4 assembly lines. Get in touch with us today to discover the lightweight aluminium chair that suits your lifestyle.