feltwielen

Feltwielen is a term used in Dutch-language contexts to describe wheels whose contact surface is made of felt or covered with felt material. Felt, a dense textile made from wool or synthetic fibers, provides a soft interface that can cushion loads and dampen vibrations. In practice, feltwielen are usually built by attaching a felt element to a wheel core of metal or hard plastic, or by molding felt into a wheel shape. Variations include differences in felt thickness, density, and backing method, which affect load tolerance, rolling resistance, and durability.

They are commonly used on furniture casters to protect floors, on stage and studio equipment to reduce noise, and in delicate settings such as laboratories or optics benches where gentle, low-friction movement is desired. On hard floors, felt wheels help prevent scratches and marks; on carpeted surfaces their performance depends on pile and underlay. Felt can absorb moisture, so humidity and cleaning can influence longevity.

The term is not widely standardized and may be encountered in specific product literature rather than as a general category. It can also be conflated with felt polishing wheels used in machining, which are a separate class of tools designed for polishing and abrasive tasks rather than as load-bearing wheels. Related topics include felt, wheel, caster, and furniture glide.