A calender roll for a papermaking machine includes: a substantially cylindrical core; and a cover circumferentially surrounding the core. The cover comprises: a base layer circumferentially overlying the core; and a topstock layer comprising polyurethane circumferentially overlying the base layer, the topstock layer being fiber-reinforced, the polyurethane having a glass transition temperature of between about 120 and 150 C., the topstock layer having a hardness of 70 to 90 ShD.

A calender roll for a papermaking machine includes: a substantially cylindrical core; and a cover circumferentially surrounding the core. The cover comprises a base layer circumferentially overlying the core; and a topstock layer comprising polyurethane circumferentially overlying the base layer, the topstock layer being fiber reinforced, the polyurethane having a glass transition temperature of between about 120 and 150 C., the topstock layer having a hardness of 70 to 90 ShD.

An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical shell having an outer surface and an internal lumen; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the shell outer surface, wherein the shell and cover have a plurality of through holes that provide fluid communication between the lumen and the atmosphere; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, the sensors configured to sense an operating parameter of the roll and provide signals related to the operating parameter; at least one signal-carrying member connected with at least one of the sensors, wherein the signal-carrying member includes openings that align at least partially with some of the through holes of the shell and cover; and a processor operatively associated with the sensors that processes signals provided by the sensors.