From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Failure of Maxium and Magnesium pistons at high temperatures and proposing further material tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0011 | |
| Date | 1st June 1927 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X4112 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/LGl.6.27. X.4112 X4044 MAXIUM AND MAGNESIUM PISTONS. Our tests shew that these pistons should not be any weaker than the aluminium pistons at normal temperatures. Failure on test however has convinced us that the trouble lies in the fact that the metal does not maintain its strength at high temperature. We suggest that the simplest method of getting down to the root of the trouble is for the Company to send us some test bars as per attached sketch so that we can determine the quality of the metal at higher temperatures. We can then select the best alloy before we commence our laborious engine and road tests on a complete piston. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||