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).
Test report on the fatigue series of Vandervell bearings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\4\ scan0117 | |
| Date | 10th September 1940 guessed | |
| Fatigue Series of Tests. Vandervell Bearings. Bearing Test No. | Bearing Composition | Modifications to Bearing re grooving etc. | Speed RPM. | Load lbs/sq ins. | Oil Press. lbs/sq ins. | Hours before break-up commences | Total hours run | Normal temp. oC | Final temp oC | NOTES. 2 | Vandervell tri-metal in steel housing | Standard | 2580 | 2080 | 60 | 3 | 9 ½ | 132 | 138 | White metal had wiped away near the joint face leaving the journal running on the lead-bronze and cracking of the white metal was also apparent for approximately ½" on either side of the joint face. Examination of the bearing suggested that the nip of the tri-metal strip in the steel housing was too great. 4 | Vandervell tri-metal in steel housing | Standard | 2580 | 2080 | 60 | 9 ½ | 50 | 121 | 123 | As previous test but diametral nip reduced from .0025" to .00125" and clearance increased from .004" to .0055". After 9 ½ hrs cracking of the white metal was again apparent near the joint face and after 50 hrs. this extended for a distance of approximately 1" either side of the joint face. Small pieces of white metal were deposited round the remainder of the bearing although the general condition suggested that it was improbable that large pieces of the bearing surface would break away. From the absence of fretting on the back of the bearing the nip would appear to be satisfactory. | ||