Abstract: A rotary cylinder for use in a calender has a roller with a hollow cylindrical sleeve and two trunnions secured to the end portions of the sleeve. The roller contains a coaxial displacing component which defines with the sleeve an annular clearance for the flow of a cooling or heating fluid, such fluid being admitted through one of the trunnions and being evacuated through the one or the other trunnion. One or more prestressed elastic cushions are interposed between the displacing component and the roller to compensate for and to counteract eventual radial and or axial movements of a portion of or the entire displacing component as a result or unequal heating or cooling of the roller and displacing component. A single cushion may constitute a hollow conical frustum or a hollow cylinder. If the roller contains several cushions, such cushions may constitute discrete disks or ribs which are integral with the displacing component and contact the internal surface of the sleeve.