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).
Investigation into a leaky Superflexit petrol pipe and the deterioration of its cellophane lining.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\5\ scan0196 | |
| Date | 21th October 1936 | |
| V251 - To/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}from E/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} FILE. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Roy.{Sir Henry Royce} E/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey}2/HP.21.10.36. Superflexit Petrol Piping. Replying to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}15/KW.13.10.36, the question of the leaky Superflexit petrol pipe off B-56-BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} was very fully discussed yesterday with Mr Trounson and Mr Gint of the Superflexit Co. The Experimental Department was represented at the discussion by Mr Dixon. The cut up pipe off B-56-BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} was examined and compared with samples of new and unused pipes, and it was at once very apparent that the cellophane material used for the petrol conduit had deteriorated from a very flexible and tough condition when new to a hard and brittle state in which fractures had occurred allowing the petrol to leak. The manufacturers assured us that they had never seen a case of a similar nature before in spite of the fact that they supplied a very large percentage of the motor industry in this country in addition to Imperial Airways and the Air Ministry. It is obvious, therefore, that more strenuous conditions existed on B-56-BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} than had previously been experienced. The conclusion was arrived at that the deterioration of the cellophane was due to the high under bonnet and petrol temperatures, and/or the use of Azur petrol, the composition of which is not at present known to us. In order to find out more exactly the true cause of the failure it was agreed that the Superflexit Co. should supply us with further samples, some of which should be tried out experimentally both here, where they will be used with Ethyl petrol, and in France, using Azur. They will also send samples of the cellophane lining which can be tested experimentally to determine the effect of various fuels and | ||