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).
The construction of aluminium coachwork and its potential applications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\1\ scan0032 | |
| Date | 17th August 1935 | |
| X1021 make file To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and WOT. E.5/HP.17.8.35. c.HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}C.Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}JLE.{J. Lee Evans - Chassis Test Manager}H1.E/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Aluminium Coachwork Construction. The vital question of improving the mechanical construction of our coachwork and its ability to function as an integral part of the structure of the complete vehicle is being followed up in respect to:- (a) composite construction both with steel and aluminium panelling. (b) all steel construction. There is, however, still another avenue of development in the form of all aluminium construction which merits serious consideration for our future requirements. This form of body is making considerable headway in the building of omnibus and commercial bodies where saving of weight has become important both on account of the system of taxation and the effects on pay load where there is a limitation on overall weight. Aluminium construction is also being extensively developed in many other directions, in connection with railway coaches, various utility services and marine work. When passing through Switzerland during my Summer holiday I called at the Neuhausen Works of the l'Industry de l'Aluminium by arrangement with Mr Devereux, and while inspecting the laboratories learnt that they were deeply interested in the building of aluminium bodywork in Switzerland for which they supplied extruded sections for the framework, and a non-corrodable light alloy of their own for the panelling. This alloy is one with which we are familiar, containing small quantities of manganese and magnesium and some silicon. Messrs.l'Industry de l'Aluminium also maintain a design office of their own for furthering this work. | ||