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).
Implementation and quality control procedures for chromium plating, comparing different methods.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0203 | |
| Date | 19th May 1930 | |
| X4442 BY11/G.19.5.30. CHROMIUM PLATING. Referring to H12/EA.28.4.30. it would appear that we are now in a fairly safe position to accept instructions to go ahead with chromium plating, but in the absence of any prolonged experience with the bright deposit I think we should continue with the Harcourt scheme of a soft deposit, buffed. We should plate for the Experimental Dept. one half of their chassis with bright deposit, so that we can obtain experience with both types, and be able to take a decision upon reasonable grounds for finally adopting one process or the other. We have, of course, been running the bright deposit on the 40/50 HP. car which has just done its 10000 miles trial in France, but the length of time covered by this test is small and does not constitute a reasonable basis for making a decision upon, so far as the durability of the deposit is concerned. In addition to running bright deposited chromium plated parts, we should hold a certain number of samples in Store to see whether they tend to deteriorate as the result of not being rubbed or polished over a long period of time. Another point which is of great importance is that we are considering the adoption of the Staybrite-chromium combination for standard, and it is essential therefore that we should arrange a proper routine for checking the plating baths for both nickel and chromium. I consider it is essential that we should have a log book for each bath i.e. a check should be made on each bath twice a week and an entry made into the log book giving particulars of the check and showing whether it was satisfactory or not, and what variation had occurred. It is of the utmost importance that these regular checks should be carried out, and regularly entered up, as they would be helpful for reference and would represent accumulated experience. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||