TecnoClean – Non-Stick & Wear-Resistant Coating for Rolls and Cylinders

Reduce build-up, improve release and keep critical roll surfaces cleaner

Sticky deposits, dust, fibres, coating residues and other contaminants can gradually build up on rolls and cylinders in industrial production processes. The result can be increased doctoring, surface wear, poor web release, contamination and more frequent cleaning and maintenance.

TecnoClean is a carbide and PTFE composite coating developed for rolls and cylinders where a combination of wear resistance, easy release and reduced surface contamination is required.

The hard carbide base coating provides a durable, wear-resistant surface, while the PTFE treatment gives the surface non-stick and release properties.

TecnoClean is particularly suitable for applications in the paper, board and pulp industries, including dryer cylinders, vacuum rolls, felt rolls, paper guide rolls, cooling cylinders, spreader rolls and other surfaces where contamination and sticky build-up affect production.

The coating can be applied directly on-site, making it possible to restore and upgrade large rolls and cylinders without unnecessary transportation.

What Problems Does TecnoClean Solve?

Selecting an industrial coating should start with the operating problem rather than the coating technology.

TecnoClean is designed for applications where rolls or cylinders experience a combination of contamination, adhesion and mechanical wear.

Typical problems include:

• Sticky build-up on roll surfaces
• Dirt and dust accumulation
• Fibre and fluff accumulation
• Poor paper or web release
• Frequent roll cleaning
• Heavy doctor blade contact
• Premature surface wear
• Corrosion and surface degradationIncreased maintenance requirements
• Reduced production stability

Instead of repeatedly cleaning or repairing the original roll surface, TecnoClean creates a functional surface designed to remain cleaner and resist wear.

Where is TecnoClean Used?

TecnoClean is primarily intended for rolls and cylinders where clean running, easy release and wear resistance are important.

Typical applications include:

Dryer Cylinders
A clean dryer cylinder surface supports consistent contact and heat transfer.

Deposits, corrosion and contamination can interfere with the functional surface of the cylinder and increase the need for cleaning and doctoring.

TecnoClean combines a hard carbide base with non-stick properties to help the cylinder surface remain cleaner during operation.

Vacuum Rolls
Vacuum rolls are one of the particularly important applications for TecnoClean.

Contamination and sticky deposits on the roll surface can interfere with reliable operation and increase cleaning requirements.

The non-stick characteristics of TecnoClean help reduce adhesion of contaminants, while the carbide base provides resistance against mechanical wear.

PR Rolls can combine vacuum roll grinding, drilling and coating as part of a complete on-site restoration or optimisation project.

Felt Rolls
Felt rolls operate in an environment where fibres, moisture and contaminants can accumulate on the roll surface.

TecnoClean provides a low-adhesion functional surface that helps reduce build-up and makes the surface easier to keep clean.

Reduced contamination can support more stable fabric operation and reduce cleaning requirements.

Paper Guide Rolls
Paper guide rolls require consistent surface properties for reliable web handling.

Dirt, fibres and sticky deposits can change the interaction between the web and roll surface.

TecnoClean is suitable for guide roll applications where clean running and controlled release are priorities.

Cooling Cylinders
Cooling cylinders depend on a clean functional surface for efficient operation.

TecnoClean can be used where contamination, deposits or wear affect the cylinder surface and increase maintenance requirements.

The combination of carbide and PTFE provides both mechanical surface protection and non-stick properties.

Spreader and Fly Rolls
Spreader and fly rolls can also benefit from a surface that resists contamination and sticky build-up.

TecnoClean helps create a durable, easy-release surface designed for applications where fibres, dust or process contaminants would otherwise adhere to the roll.

These applications are among those currently specified by PR Rolls for TecnoClean.

Non-Stick Roll Coating for the Paper & Board Industry

Paper and board production creates particularly demanding conditions for roll surfaces.

Paper dust, fibres, coating chemicals, adhesives and other process materials can accumulate on rolls and cylinders.

When contamination builds up, the consequences can include:

• Increased doctoring
• More frequent cleaning
• Surface damage
• Web release problems
• Paper defects
• Production interruptions
• Reduced roll and doctor blade lifetime

TecnoClean is designed to address this combination of adhesion and wear.

The PTFE component reduces the tendency of contaminants to adhere to the surface, while the carbide base provides the hardness required for demanding industrial operation.

Improved Web and Paper Release

Release properties are particularly important where the paper web comes into direct contact with a roll or cylinder.

A surface with high adhesion can cause the web to follow the roll longer than intended, increasing the draw required to separate it.

TecnoClean creates a low-adhesion surface designed to promote easier paper release.

According to PR Rolls' existing application experience, easier release can reduce the need for draw and contribute to good paper quality and profile.

This makes the coating particularly relevant where web release, contamination and surface wear occur simultaneously.

Reduce Sticky Build-up and Contamination

One of the primary reasons for selecting TecnoClean is to reduce material adhesion to the roll surface.

Depending on the production process, contamination may include:

• Paper dust
• Fibres
• Fluff
• Sticky process residues
• Coating residues
• Other deposits

The PTFE-treated surface makes it more difficult for contaminants to adhere strongly to the roll.

This can make the surface easier to clean and reduce the amount of material accumulating during production.

Easier Doctoring and Reduced Surface Wear

Doctoring can be necessary to keep industrial rolls and cylinders clean, but continuous mechanical contact also contributes to wear.

A surface that releases contamination more easily requires less aggressive doctoring.

PR Rolls' experience with TecnoClean indicates that the coating is easy and light to doctor and can also extend doctor blade service life.

This creates two complementary functions:

Carbide base layer → wear resistance

PTFE surface properties → reduced adhesion and easier cleaning

The result is a surface designed for long-term operation in applications where both wear and contamination are challenges.

Supporting Heat Transfer and Drying Performance

Clean surfaces are particularly important on dryer cylinders.

Deposits and contamination can create an unwanted layer between the cylinder surface and the paper or surrounding process.

By helping the cylinder remain clean, TecnoClean can support efficient heat transfer.

PR Rolls' current application data associates the coating with improved heat conduction, drying capacity and energy efficiency in dryer applications.

The actual performance benefit will naturally depend on the machine, existing surface condition, process parameters and application.

Why Combine Carbide and PTFE?

TecnoClean is a composite coating system rather than simply a PTFE coating.

This distinction is important.

PTFE provides useful non-stick and release properties, but industrial rolls also operate under mechanical loads and wear.

TecnoClean therefore combines two functional characteristics:

Hard Carbide Base Coating
Provides the durable, wear-resistant foundation of the coating system.

PTFE Treatment
Provides the low-adhesion and non-stick properties required to reduce contamination and improve release.

Together, these properties make TecnoClean suitable for applications where a conventional hard coating alone would not address sticky build-up and where a release coating alone would not provide sufficient mechanical durability.

HVOF and HVAF Thermal Spray Technology

The carbide base layer of TecnoClean is applied using HVOF or HVAF thermal spraying.

HVOF – High Velocity Oxygen Fuel – is a thermal spray process in which coating material is accelerated at high velocity towards the prepared substrate.

The high kinetic energy of the particles produces dense coatings with strong adhesion and low porosity. This is one reason HVOF is widely used for wear and corrosion protection of industrial components.

Research and industrial experience also show that HVOF can produce dense carbide coatings and is widely considered as an alternative to hard chrome in applications combining wear and corrosion.

Thermal spray technology has another important advantage for maintenance applications: it allows the surface properties of an existing component to be changed without replacing the entire component.

Why Surface Preparation Matters

The performance of a thermal spray coating depends not only on the coating material but also on correct surface preparation.

Before TecnoClean is applied, the condition and geometry of the roll or cylinder are therefore evaluated.

If the existing surface is worn, corroded, scratched or geometrically incorrect, precision grinding may be required before coating.

Grinding can:

• Remove corrosion and contamination
• Remove scratches and surface damage
• Restore cylindrical geometry
• Correct surface deviations
• Create the correct foundation for subsequent surface preparation

Proper preparation is critical for thermal spray coating adhesion and long-term performance. The HVOF process requires a correctly prepared substrate before coating deposition.

Grinding + Coating – Complete Surface Restoration

For worn rolls and cylinders, applying a coating alone may not solve the underlying problem.

If the component has lost its correct geometry, PR Rolls can first restore the surface through precision grinding and then apply TecnoClean.

A complete project can include:

1. Condition Inspection
The existing roll or cylinder surface is evaluated.

2. Precision Measurement
Geometry, diameter, runout and surface condition can be measured where required.

3. Grinding
Worn or damaged surfaces are ground to restore the required geometry.

4. Surface Preparation
The substrate is prepared for thermal spraying.

5. HVOF/HVAF Carbide Coating
The wear-resistant carbide base coating is applied.

6. PTFE Treatment
The surface receives its non-stick and release properties.

7. Finishing and Verification
The completed surface is inspected and finished according to the application requirements.

8. Field Balancing
Where required, the roll or cylinder can also be balanced after coating. PR Rolls currently offers this as part of the TecnoClean process.

On-site TecnoClean Coating

One of the major advantages of TecnoClean is that it can be applied directly at the customer's site.

Large paper machine rolls and dryer cylinders can be difficult, expensive and time-consuming to dismantle and transport.

PR Rolls can perform the surface restoration and coating during a planned maintenance shutdown.

Benefits of on-site coating include:

• Reduced dismantling
• Less heavy lifting
• No unnecessary transportation
• Grinding and coating during the same shutdown
• Shorter maintenance lead times
• Existing components can be upgraded rather than replaced
• Faster return to production

PR Rolls specifically developed TecnoClean as a coating suitable for on-site application without removing the roll.

When Should You Consider TecnoClean?

TecnoClean should be considered when the primary operating challenge is a combination of sticky build-up, contamination, poor release and surface wear.

Typical signs include:

• Rolls require frequent cleaning
• Material repeatedly sticks to the surface
• Doctor blades wear quickly
• Roll surfaces wear prematurely
• Paper or web release is problematic
• Dust and fibres accumulate on the roll
• Existing coatings have insufficient release properties
• An uncoated surface requires frequent maintenance

The correct coating should always be selected according to the specific process conditions.

If abrasion, extreme wear, grip, corrosion or another surface property is the dominant problem, another coating in the PR Rolls portfolio may be more appropriate.

TecnoClean Technical Properties

TecnoClean combines a carbide base coating with PTFE surface properties.

PR Rolls' current technical specifications include:

The final coating specification should always be matched to the application and operating conditions.

TecnoClean vs. Conventional Roll Surfaces

The reason to select a functional coating should be based on the problem the surface needs to solve.

An untreated steel or metal roll provides the mechanical structure required by the machine, but its surface properties may not be ideal for applications involving sticky contaminants and continuous mechanical wear.

TecnoClean modifies the functional surface without requiring replacement of the underlying roll.

It provides a combination of:

Wear resistance + non-stick properties + easier cleaning + improved release

This makes TecnoClean particularly suitable when several of these requirements occur simultaneously.

Extending the Service Life of Existing Rolls and Cylinders

Surface degradation does not necessarily mean that an expensive roll or cylinder needs to be replaced.

Thermal spray technology is widely used both to protect components against wear and corrosion and to restore worn industrial components.

By combining measurement, grinding and functional coating, an existing component can often be restored and its surface properties upgraded for its operating environment.

This approach can help:

• Extend component service life
• Reduce replacement requirements
• Reduce maintenance frequency
• Shorten shutdowns
• Improve surface performance
• Protect the underlying component

Why Choose PR Rolls for TecnoClean?

A functional coating performs best when the complete condition of the component is considered.

PR Rolls combines surface engineering with on-site machining and maintenance expertise.

Depending on the application, one project can include:

• Condition inspection
• Precision measurement
• Grinding
• Surface preparation
• HVOF/HVAF thermal spraying
• TecnoClean coating
• Finishing
• Field balancing
• Final verification

This means PR Rolls can address both the underlying geometry of the component and the functional properties of its surface.

The objective is not simply to apply a coating. It is to create a surface that performs better in the customer's actual production process.

Frequently Asked Questions About TecnoClean

What is TecnoClean?
TecnoClean is a carbide and PTFE composite coating for industrial rolls and cylinders. The carbide base provides wear resistance, while the PTFE treatment provides non-stick and release properties.

What is TecnoClean used for?
TecnoClean is used where rolls and cylinders experience sticky build-up, contamination and wear. Typical applications include dryer cylinders, vacuum rolls, felt rolls, paper guide rolls, cooling cylinders and spreader rolls.

Is TecnoClean a PTFE coating?
TecnoClean contains PTFE, but it is more accurately described as a carbide and PTFE composite coating. The hard carbide base provides mechanical durability while PTFE provides the release and non-stick properties.

What is a non-stick roll coating?
A non-stick roll coating creates a functional surface designed to reduce the adhesion of process materials, fibres, dust or sticky contaminants to a roll or cylinder.

Can TecnoClean be used on vacuum rolls?
Yes. Vacuum rolls are one of the applications specifically identified by PR Rolls for TecnoClean.

Can TecnoClean be applied to dryer cylinders?
Yes. TecnoClean can be used on dryer cylinders where clean running, easy release, wear resistance and heat transfer are important considerations.

What is HVOF coating?
HVOF stands for High Velocity Oxygen Fuel. It is a thermal spray process that accelerates coating particles at high velocity onto a prepared substrate to produce dense, strongly bonded coatings.

Does the roll need to be removed before coating?
Not necessarily. TecnoClean is particularly suitable for on-site application, allowing large rolls and cylinders to be restored and coated at the customer's mill.

Can PR Rolls grind the roll before applying TecnoClean?
Yes. If the existing surface is damaged or has geometry deviations, PR Rolls can grind the roll or cylinder before surface preparation and coating.

How thick is TecnoClean?
PR Rolls currently specifies a coating thickness of 100–150 µm.

What is the hardness of TecnoClean?
The carbide base coating has a specified hardness of 1200 ± 50 HV.

What operating temperatures can TecnoClean withstand?
PR Rolls specifies an operating temperature range of 20–200°C for TecnoClean.

Keep Rolls Cleaner and Running Longer

Sticky build-up, contamination and wear do not always require frequent cleaning, repeated repairs or component replacement.

TecnoClean combines a hard carbide base with PTFE non-stick properties to create a durable functional surface for rolls and cylinders.

From dryer cylinders and vacuum rolls to felt rolls, guide rolls, cooling cylinders and spreader rolls, TecnoClean is designed for applications where cleaner running, easier release and wear resistance are important.

Combined with PR Rolls' capabilities in grinding, measurement, thermal spray coating and field balancing, TecnoClean provides a complete approach to restoring and upgrading critical roll and cylinder surfaces.