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).
Confidential report on the properties and production of the condensation product Lapilac.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 39\3\ Scan047 | |
| Date | 12th April 1921 guessed | |
| Lapilac (1919) LL X 3513 West Drayton Middx. Private & Confidential X 3513 - L A P I L A C Lapilac is a condensation product produced by the action of Formaldehyde upon Phenol or Cresol to a special formula and produced by a special process. It is a great improvement upon Bakelite and all other condensation products with which we have come into contact. Its chief advantages are the following :- (1). It can be accurately moulded and also turns readily. The wear and tear of tools is far less than when turning other condensation products. (2). It has great strength and durability. (3). It is non-inflammable and unaffected by a temperature exceeding 500° Fahrenheit. (4).It has a high insulating power; 1 mm. of the material resisting voltage of 25,000 volts. Even when hot it will still insulate to this degree. (5). It is entirely unaffected by water, oil, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid. A recent test was made with sulphuric acid, - a thin rod of Lapilac was put into a battery containing sulphuric acid,- thus subjecting it to the influence of nascent sulphuric acid, for one month - at the end of this period the rod was entirely unaffected. We are now in a position to produce quantities of this material for electrical and other works using insulating material It has already been recognised as an insulator of marked excellence and been used for over twelve months by electrical firms who are placing orders with us. | ||