How to Choose an Electric Wheelchair (Materials: Carbon Fiber, Aluminum Alloy, and Steel Alloy Models)

Choosing the appropriate electric wheelchair is not only about battery capacity, or turn radius such choices, but the frame material defines the weight, durability, ride comfort, and long-term worth. Ningbo Baichen Medical Instrument Co., Ltd. (established in 1998) has manufactured thousands of electric wheelchair models utilizing materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum alloy, and steel alloy.The materials have various user requirements. The following are four important considerations to make.

Carbon Fiber Power Wheelchair: Lightest and Most Portable

The high-end product is the carbon fiber that will be preferred by users who are concerned with the ultra-lightweight design and high portability. Carbon fiber power wheelchair is an average of 40-60% lighter than a steel powered (wheelchair) and can therefore be lifted into a car trunk or even up a flight of stairs. Carbon fiber also has the property of dampening vibrations, which means it gives a more comfortable ride over uneven sidewalks or cobblestone streets.

Most suitable to: Active users who make frequent trips, who live in a multi-storey house, or who have to move the chair in a car by themselves. Ningbo Baichen has developed a carbon fiber power wheelchair line with high strength and resistance to corrosion- this is best suited to the humid coastal conditions. Its tradeoff is increased cost, but the weight savings will pay off in many users.

Aluminum Alloy Power Wheelchair: Best Balance of Weight and Value

The most common material used in the electric wheelchair market is aluminum alloy- and rightly so. It provides a great balance between loss of weight and cost. The weight of an aluminum power wheelchair is between 15-25 kg, which most caregivers can easily carry, but much more resistant to impacts than carbon fiber.

Aluminum does not rust and hence can be used outdoors in rain or snow. It can also accommodate complicated frame shapes and this has made it possible to have features such as adjustable seat heights and foldable backs. Our aluminum power wheelchair series is produced with 60 sets of precision frame processing equipment (punching, pipe bending and electric welding machines) to maintain uniform quality. Aluminum is a better alternative when you desire to have a durable mid-weight chair, but not with the premium cost of carbon fiber.

Steel Alloy Power Wheelchair: Maximum Strength and Affordability

The most rough and cost-effective are the steel alloy power wheelchairs. They are able to support more user weight (up to 150+ kg) and harsher conditions than aluminum or carbon fiber. The inherent strength of steel also results in less flex in the frame and long structure life with heavy daily usage.

It is a trade-off of weight, as the steel chairs are heavier, usually 30-45 kg. They are suitable for people who do not have to move the chair regularly like those who use the wheelchair more often in the house or in the vehicle with a ramp. All our steel power wheelchair models are constructed on our 3 American Binks painting lines and UV plating lines and the models have a high level of corrosion resistance. Select steel since it is the most durable and least expensive.

Magnesium Power Wheelchair: Lightweight Strength for Specialized Needs

Newcomer Magnesium alloy has the advantage of having the same weight as aluminum but being more rigid. There are fewer in number but are perfect in cases where a very rigid frame will be required (to provide a better energy transfer and climbing ability) and the weight remains moderate (magnesium power wheelchairs). Magnesium is also a good shock absorber.

But magnesium is pricier than aluminum and it needs to be coated meticulously to avoid being corroded. Select magnesium when you desire high performance compared to aluminum and carbon fiber.

Conclusion

It depends on what is important to you: carbon fiber to be the lightest, aluminum to the best all round value, steel to the greatest strength in a price-sensitive way, and magnesium to the rigid performance of a single purpose. Ningbo Baichen Medical Devices Co., Ltd. is a factory that manufactures all the four types of materials under a roof with more than 20,000 m2 factory, 18 injection molding, and 4 finished assembly lines. Get in touch with us today and get the right electric wheelchair to suit your needs.