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 S. Smith & Sons discussing the use of potassium dichromate as a corrosion inhibitor in engine cooling systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\3\ scan0426 | |
| Date | 14th April 1938 | |
| 105 File Radiators General 1280 Motor Ru/SJD CONTRACTORS TO ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE & AIR MINISTRY BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING TELEPHONE: GLADSTONE 3333 (20 LINES) TELEGRAMS: SPEEDOFAC, PHONE, LONDON. CABLES: SPEEDOFAC, LONDON. CODES: MARCONI, COMMERCIAL, BENTLEY'S. S. Smith & Sons (Motor Accessories) Ltd CRICKLEWOOD WORKS LONDON, N.W.2 BRANCHES AT PARIS MILAN SYDNEY WELLINGTON AGENCIES AND SERVICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND IN ALL THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES SHOWROOMS & DEPOTS 179-185 Gt PORTLAND ST LONDON W.1. 26-33, COX ST LIVERY ST BIRMINGHAM. 14A JACKSONS ROW DEANSGATE MANCHESTER. 21, DRURY STREET GLASGOW. DUBLIN & BELFAST Please quote our reference: S.10 14th April, 1938. Motor Ru/SJD Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Sirs, For the attention of Mr. C.S. Steadman. Re: Potassium Dichromate. With reference to the writer's call on you when we discussed the above, the following is an extract from Messrs. Imperial Chemical Industries letter dealing with same which we understand may be of interest to you:- "We refer to your letter of the 30th March enclosing copies of correspondence received from the above firm, and have noted the extract from the Ford booklet on the care of the cooling system which is already familiar to us. The position seems to be that Fords are recommending potassium dichromate as a corrosion inhibitor in the water used for filling the cooling system. This may be an extremely effective inhibitor under these circumstances to use, but Messrs. Smith are wrong in supposing that we have made any statement as to potassium dichromate having no effect in Bluecol in the cooling system. On the contrary, as you will remember, we have expressed fears that not only will the dichromate oxidise the Ethylene Glycol, and part of the anti-freeze effect be thus lost, but even more important, it seems probable that corrosive substances may result from this oxidation of glycol. contd To avoid delay all envelopes should be addressed to the firm. | ||