---
title: "Rolls, Roll Lining for the Pulp and Paper Industry: Advantages of Polyurethane"
description: "Polyurethane roll lining in the pulp and paper industry: how to increase component lifespan by 10 times. Specific comparisons, selection, and ordering."
lang: "en"
date: "2026-11-02"
canonical_url: "https://timol.com.ua/en/statti/futerovka-valov-dlya-bymajnaya-promyshlennost"
---
# Rolls, Roll Lining for the Pulp and Paper Industry: Advantages of Polyurethane

Every engineer familiar with the maintenance of press or conveyor rolls in pulp and paper production knows: rubber or steel linings often crack and wear out within a month or two, and each line stoppage results in losses. Polyurethane lining allows for a significant increase in component lifespan and minimizes downtime. Here's why it works, which parts are most beneficial to replace, and what the enterprise gains as a result.

## Why Polyurethane Roll Lining is More Effective

Polyurethane demonstrates 10 times higher wear resistance compared to standard rubber, directly affecting the maintenance interval and operational costs. In pulp and paper lines, where rolls operate in a wet, abrasive environment with chemical additives, rubber or steel linings wear out extremely quickly. Switching to polyurethane reduces the frequency of emergency stoppages and decreases the load on service departments.

Polyurethane linings maintain their geometry and elasticity even under intense mechanical and chemical stress. The material consistently operates within a temperature range from -60 to +100 °C, allowing its use in all production areas, from cold storage rooms to heating sections. Importantly, polyurethane is not afraid of short-term temperature fluctuations, retains elasticity, and does not lose adhesion to metal.

An additional advantage is the high rebound elasticity (35-65%), which ensures that lined rolls do not damage the paper web and also dampen the impact of abrasive particles. This is especially noticeable in areas with a high content of sludge, where rubber quickly tears or crumbles.

## Where Polyurethane Linings are Used in Pulp and Paper Production

The most pronounced effect of replacement is seen in areas where rolls contact fibrous mass, paper web, or abrasive additives. Such components include:

- Press rolls subjected to high pressure and intensive wear;
- Pressure and guide rolls for stabilizing and transporting the web;
- Conveyor and feeder rolls working with raw recycled mass or abrasive inclusions;
- Restoration of old rolls or manufacturing new ones according to customer drawings.

Thanks to the free casting technology, the TIMOL factory can apply linings of any required thickness and hardness (from 80 to 95 Shore A, optimal for abrasive tasks). Surface preparation of the roll includes shot blasting to clean metal, ensuring long-lasting adhesion of the layer.

Replacing the lining allows even heavily worn or damaged rolls to be restored without changing the basic geometry of the component. The new coating receives a specified micro-relief for better adhesion to the paper web and minimizing the sticking of cellulose mass.

## Comparison of Polyurethane and Traditional Materials

The table below provides specific numerical characteristics of TIMOL polyurethane and the main competing materials used for roll linings in the pulp and paper industry:

| Material | Abrasion (DIN 53516), mm3 | Working Temperature, °C | Tensile Strength, MPa | Rebound Elasticity, % | Hardness | Density, g/cm3 |
|-----------------------------|---------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------|----------------|
| Polyurethane (TIMOL) | 20-45 | -60...+100 | 25-60 | 35-65 | 50A - 70D | 1.05-1.25 |
| NBR Rubber | 80-150 | -30...100 | 10-25 | 20-45 | 40A - 90A | 1-1.3 |
| SBR Rubber | 100-200 | -40...80 | 8-20 | 30-55 | 40A - 80A | 0.94-1.1 |
| EPDM Rubber | 80-180 | -50...120 | 7-20 | 25-50 | 30A - 90A | 0.86-1.1 |
| Natural Rubber (NR) | 60-130 | -50...70 | 20-30 | 40-75 | 30A - 80A | 0.92-1 |
| Caprolon (PA6/PA66) | 30-90 | -40...100 | 60-85 | 5-15 | 75D - 85D | 1.13-1.15 |
| Carbon Steel (St3, St45) | | -40...500 | 370-700 | | 120-250 HB | 7.7-7.9 |

As seen in the table, the abrasion of polyurethane (20-45 mm3 according to DIN 53516) is significantly lower than that of NBR rubber (80-150 mm3) or SBR rubber (100-200 mm3). This means that the polyurethane layer retains its working profile much longer even in the harshest abrasive wear conditions. Steel lining does not provide elasticity or protection against corrosion in wet environments.

## How Polyurethane Roll Linings are Manufactured and Installed

The lining is manufactured using the free casting method: the polyurethane mixture is applied directly to the prepared roll, after which polymerization occurs in special molds. This technology allows for obtaining a monolithic layer of the required thickness without voids and inclusions, as well as precisely maintaining the geometry. After curing, the coating undergoes mechanical processing, grinding, embossing, and diameter calibration according to the customer's drawing.

Installation on the component is carried out using standard methods: the lined roll is mounted in the housing using standard bearings and seals. Due to its low density (1.05-1.25 g/cm3), polyurethane does not create additional load on the supports, and the resilient surface compensates for minor misalignments and irregularities in operation. Maintenance of the component is reduced to visual inspection of the layer condition and periodic cleaning from adhered fiber or sludge.

An additional plus: polyurethane does not conduct corrosion from the metal base but protects it even during prolonged contact with moisture and chemical reagents, which is relevant for areas with increased environmental aggressiveness.

## Practical Effect for the Enterprise

Switching to polyurethane roll linings allows the enterprise to gain several practical advantages simultaneously:

- Significant reduction in the number of emergency stoppages due to coating wear;
- Increased stability of line operation, especially in areas with abrasive mass and temperature fluctuations;
- Reduced load on technical services due to extended maintenance cycles;
- Better vibration damping and noise reduction, positively affecting the lifespan of bearings and housing components;
- Absence of rust and corrosion even during prolonged downtime or operation in wet environments.

Enterprises that have already switched to polyurethane roll linings note the stability of the friction coefficient and the absence of sudden drops in the quality of finished products. As a result, the amount of scrap decreases, and production becomes less dependent on the human factor.

> **Engineer’s Tip:** For roll linings in the pulp and paper industry, we recommend choosing hardness in the range of 80-95 Shore A. This ensures an optimal balance between elasticity and resistance to abrasives, allowing the coating to 'bounce' particles and not chip under impact loads. The quality of metal base preparation for lining determines the longevity of the component, so always perform shot blasting to clean metal.

## Nuances of Choice: Hardness, Thickness, Maintenance Features

The correct choice of polyurethane hardness for a specific component is critical to achieving maximum lifespan. For pressure, transport, and guide rolls, the optimal range is 80-95 Shore A. This provides sufficient elasticity for impact damping and resistance to abrasives, as well as minimizing the risk of damage to the paper web or fibrous mass.

For components where geometric stability under high static load is important (e.g., support or bearing rolls), harder grades closer to the upper end of the Shore A range are considered. However, for abrasive areas, softer yet resilient polyurethane works better than overly rigid materials.

The lining thickness is selected based on working loads and roll geometry. For most tasks, a layer of 10-20 mm is sufficient, but when restoring heavily worn rolls, a thicker coating may be applied. Standard requirements apply to installation and subsequent maintenance: regular inspection, timely surface cleaning, and damage fixation.

## How to Order Lining or a New Roll at TIMOL Factory

To manufacture polyurethane lining to size, it is necessary to provide a drawing or sample of the roll. The TIMOL factory has experience working with components of any complexity for the [pulp and paper industry](/galuzi/bymajnaya_promyshlennost), manufactures standard products, and also accepts orders for individual items with a catalog of hardness and surface relief. You can view standard products in the [polyurethane products catalog](/katalog).

The ordering process includes drawing approval, material and hardness selection, and agreement on manufacturing timelines. The factory has its own technical support department, so even atypical tasks are resolved quickly, just contact us through the [contact form](/contacts). All work is carried out in compliance with free casting technology, surface preparation, and quality control.

## Additional Advantages of Polyurethane Compared to Other Materials

In addition to wear resistance 10 times higher than rubber, polyurethane has low density (1.05-1.25 g/cm3), so it does not overload the component. The material does not conduct noise and vibration like steel and does not crack under short-term impacts or temperature fluctuations. The mechanical tensile strength (25-60 MPa) allows the lining to be used even in areas with dynamic loads.

It is also important that polyurethane coating does not require complex maintenance: periodic cleaning and visual inspection allow for timely detection of initial wear signs and layer replacement before deep defects appear. This significantly reduces operational costs compared to rubber or steel, where damage often leads to forced stoppage of the entire line.

## Conclusion: Why Switch to Polyurethane Lining

Replacing roll linings with polyurethane in the pulp and paper industry provides a real increase in component lifespan, line operation stability, and significant reduction in operational costs. If you are looking for a solution for your enterprise, contact the TIMOL factory, we will select the material, perform calculations according to the drawing, and ensure the full cycle of manufacturing and installation. Visit the [contact page](/contacts) or explore the [catalog](/katalog) for consultation and ordering.