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 discussing defects discovered in engine valves after etching, related to the Stellite application process.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 158\4\ scan0176 | |
| Date | 21th September 1937 guessed | |
| -3- (2) The second valve we have etched has a new appearance and we surmise that it has not been run in an engine, nevertheless, a crack is revealed in the Stellite. This is possibly due to the fact that when Stelliting, you go round the valve and finish up again at the starting point and at this point the Stellite is not thoroughly melted again. On both etched valves, the Stelliting as you will see is most irregular and looks as though the steel has been too hot and almost running and burnt when applying the Stellite, the latter having filled in where the steel has deformed. We think that all the points regarding the Stelliting defects produced on your valves are dealt with in our letter of the 20th and is therefore no necessity to repeat the story. We have kept one of your valves and in its place are sending one of our Bentley valves which has been etched to illustrate how even the Stellite is applied when carried out correctly. This has been done to avoid complications in our Despatch Stores, i.e. they received 5 valves, and we are returning 5 valves. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||