Covered rolls and their applications

Rolls covered with elastomeric materials are often used to transport, move, convey, shape, and otherwise handle metals through their processing operations. This paper provides an introduction to rubber, urethane, and nonwoven fiber covering materials and their applications in today's steel processing mills. Proper techniques for maintenance, storage, and packing and shipping of rolls are discussed. The effects of chemicals and temperatures on coverings are presented. Provided are suggestions for proper cleaning of covered rolls. Since any ellastomeric covering represents compromises, alternatives are presented to assist in the best selection of a roll covering material for a given application.