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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).
Letter from The Cleveland Graphite Bronze Co. to Mr. C. W. Grylls discussing the composition of tin base babbitt for bearings.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 115\1\  scan0277
Date  3rd February 1937
  
Swett - Perles

THE CLEVELAND GRAPHITE BRONZE CO.

BUSHINGS
BEARINGS
WASHERS

HARD ROLLED BRONZE
STEEL BACK - BABBITT LINED

DETROIT OFFICE, 7-169 GENERAL MOTORS BLDG.
MAIN OFFICE & PLANT
880 EAST 72ND STREET
CLEVELAND

February 3, 1937.

Mr. C. W. Grylls,
Rolls Royce Ltd.,
Derby, England.

Dear Mr. Grylls:

I have delayed answering your letter of November 23rd, hoping that I would be able to give you the latest information as to the composition of the best babbitt we have so far developed, but we are finding, as a result of most intensive research, that the field for continued improvement seems almost without limit. We are constantly improving the quality of our bearings every day, - not only with reference to the bearing material itself, but we have also found many things that could be done in the processing, starting back in the steel mill.

Mr. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} A.{Mr Adams} Vandervell, of Vandervell Products Ltd., London, has been here for several weeks and returned to England last night on the Bremen. He is fully posted on what we are doing and I would suggest that you contact him.

In answer to the questions you asked in your letter, I beg to advise you as follows:

Our experience with cadmium in tin base babbitt has been confined to 1% and 2% cadmium in babbitt containing 3.25% copper, 7.5% antimony and tin the remainder. We found these materials to be superior to the same babbitt without the cadmium, especially in respect of fatigue.

The composition mentioned by Rolls Royce of 2.4% cadmium, 2% copper, 9% antimony and tin the remainder, would appear to us to be quite brittle because of the high cadmium and antimony contents. We also feel that the copper content could be increased to considerable advantage by from 1% to 2-1/2%.

We have no experience with a tin base babbitt with silver, but we would expect the silver to affect the babbitt in about the same way as copper.

With very best regards to yourself and to Mr. Coverley, believe me,

Very sincerely yours,
THE CLEVELAND GRAPHITE BRONZE COMPANY
Ben F.{Mr Friese} Hopkins, President.

BFH:D
  
  


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