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).
Requesting suggestions for a corrosion-resistant aluminium alloy for engine casting purposes, specifically for a Bentley thermostatic control.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\3\ scan0074 | |
| Date | 6th May 1933 | |
| To Mr. (Laboratory). from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re Aluminium Alloys. We are anxious to try an aluminium alloy for casting purposes which will not suffer from corrosion when in contact with the cooling water of the engine, particularly when impurities such as salt are present in the water. In the past we have had to change the material of such parts as water pumps and water doors, plugs etc. from aluminium to bronze on account of this corrosion, particularly where the material has been used in association with a cast iron cylinder block, but we can no longer afford the increased weight occasioned thereby, and we thought there must be some suitable aluminium alloys available, as certain outboard motor boat engines for use in sea water are built up chiefly of aluminium alloy where a light and portable engine is required. We should be glad to know what alloys you think could be used, as we are proposing to instruct forthwith a scheme for the Bentley thermostatic control, in which the minimum of weight is desirable, and in which we propose to use an aluminium casting bolted on to the front end of the cylinder head. | ||