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).
Laboratory report from Skefko Ball Bearing Company on the failure of two water pump spindles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\1\ scan0324 | |
| Date | 22th November 1938 | |
| The SKEFKO BALL BEARING COMPANY Ltd. HEAD OFFICE & WORKS LUTON [Handwritten Note: 1269 Juli Water Pump] CONTRACTORS TO THE ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE, AIR MINISTRY, INDIA OFFICE AND CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES. YOUR REF: RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std.3/MH.{M. Huckerby} OUR REF: Technical/F.{Mr Friese} GEG/CB. BRANCH OFFICES ABERDEEN 23, WINDMILL BRAE. TELEPHONE: ABERDEEN 7824. BELFAST 41, VICTORIA SQUARE. TELEPHONE: BELFAST 23965. BIRMINGHAM 183-185, CORPORATION STREET. TELEPHONE: CENTRAL 3011-2. BRISTOL 73, VICTORIA STREET. TELEPHONE: BRISTOL 23771. CARDIFF CHURCH HOUSE, 16, WESTGATE STREET. TELEPHONE: CARDIFF 7162. DUBLIN 28, UPPER O'CONNELL STREET. TELEPHONE: DUBLIN 44416. GLASGOW METROVICK HOUSE, 74, WATERLOO STREET. TELEPHONE: CENTRAL 3268. LEEDS LONDON ASSURANCE HOUSE, WINE STREET, (OFF INFIRMARY STREET) TELEPHONE: LEEDS 28059. LEICESTER 17, WATERLOO STREET. TELEPHONE: LEICESTER 58722. LONDON 109, KINGSWAY, W. C. 2. TELEPHONE: HOLBORN 4623-4. MANCHESTER SUNLIGHT HOUSE, QUAY STREET. TELEPHONE: BLACKFRIARS 2474-5. NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE 31, MOSLEY STREET. TELEPHONE: NEWCASTLE 23736. NOTTINGHAM CLUMBER BUILDINGS, CLUMBER STREET. TELEPHONE: 43609. SHEFFIELD 97, WEST STREET. TELEPHONE: SHEFFIELD 25356. TELEGRAMS: "SKEFKO" ALL BRANCHES. TELEPHONE: 1100 LUTON (4 LINES) PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE TELEGRAMS: "SKEFKO TELEX" LUTON TELEX NO: LUTON 2884. CABLES: SKEFKO, LUTON, ENGLAND. 22nd November 1938. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Limited, DERBY. Dear Sirs, Attention of Mr. Steadman. With further reference to your letter of the 10th instant, we have now had an opportunity of examining the two water pump spindles returned to us. Our laboratory report as follows: "No. 1. Bearing. This bearing was manufactured by the New Departure Company, U.S.A. and had been run on a test bed for 17 hours by Messrs. Rolls-Royce Limited. Outer ring. The whole of the interior of this ring was badly corroded. The races were worn. The Rockwell Hardness figure of this ring was 63 C. Inner ring. This spindle was badly corroded and the tracks worn. The Rockwell Hardness figure of this spindle was 65 C. Cages. Badly corroded; there had been very slight rubbing between one of the cages and the seal but this condition would not have had any part in the ultimate failure of this bearing. Seals. Badly corroded; there had been very slight rubbing between one of the seals and the cage. Balls. Worn and corroded. Grease. All the grease had oozed out of the bearing and it was impossible to determine the condition or designation of this grease. Cause of Failure: Failed owing to the rusting of the various components. | ||