How to Choose a Cylinder / Roller Brush: Diameter, Density, Core & Mounting

The six specs to fix

• Outer diameter (OD) — sets the contact footprint; common range is 60–600 mm.
• Working length — the brushed length along the roller.
• Filament material — nylon (PA6.6 / PA66 / FDA PA6.12), PP, or wire, chosen for wear, chemical and temperature needs.
• Filament diameter / stiffness — fine and soft for delicate surfaces, thick and stiff for aggressive sweeping.
• Fill density and pattern — staple-set for dense even coverage, spiral-wound to move debris sideways.
• Core and mounting — bore size, shaft, keyway or flange to match your drive.

Match the brush to the job

For belt and parts cleaning, a nylon conveyor cylinder cleaning brush (OD 60–600 mm, filament 0.003–0.060 in) covers most needs, with a driven steel-shaft nylon conveyor roller brush where you need a shaft and keyway. For delicate surfaces such as PV glass, a soft spiral solar panel cleaning roller uses fine 0.15–0.20 mm filament so it cleans without scratching.

Density and stiffness trade-offs

Higher fill density spreads load and gives a finer, more even action but costs more and can trap debris; lower density clears bulk debris and rinses cleaner. Stiffer, thicker filament cuts and sweeps harder but is rougher on the work surface — always size stiffness to the most delicate thing the roller touches.

Frequently asked questions

What information do you need to quote a roller brush?

Outer diameter, working length, bore/shaft and how it mounts, plus the filament material and stiffness and the surface it works on. A drawing or a sample of the old roller is ideal.

Staple-set or spiral-wound — which should I pick?

Staple-set gives dense, even coverage for general cleaning and finishing. Spiral-wound winds filament in a helix that pushes debris sideways and is easy to make in long lengths — good for conveyors and washing.

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