Abstract: A press roll assembly having no substantial circumferential stress at operating temperature due to differential thermal expansion of the head and roller material is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly is formed from a granite roll having opposed parallel substantially planar ends compressed between steel heads; the steel heads are preferably heated to the maximum operating temperature of the press roll assembly prior to tensioning against the press roll held at ambient temperature. Preferably, there is a rectilinear interface between the heads and the roll, and preferably the heads are tensioned against the ends of the roll by tie-rods connected to the opposed heads through a plurality of longitudinal bore holes passing through the roll and heads, the bores being disposed radially outward and parallel to the axis. Upon cooling of the heads, radial compression is induced in the ends of the roll.