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).
Corrosion issues and potential solutions for a Phantom air valve, comparing aluminium and brass options.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 74\2\ scan0020 | |
| Date | 9th September 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ACL. c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X9351 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/ACL1/LG8.9.27. PHANTOM AIR VALVE. X8080 With regard to the corrosion which has been experienced on an aluminium air valve, and which prevented its correct functioning, we have considered the available methods of heating the alum. to increase its resistance to corrosion. Depositing a thin coat of nickel on the alum. seemed a promising method and an air valve so treated was prepared by HL. This air valve is now being tested on car 14-EX. We also intend testing an air valve with a zinc deposit which is at present being prepared. We will report later how these valves stand up in service on the cars. The light built-up brass valve was tested at the same time as the alum. valve but was rejected in favour of the latter owing to its greater weight which resulted in a higher engine speed before it started to lift. The built-up brass valve weighs 6.506 ozs. and starts to lift at 380 r.p.m. The alum. valve weighs 4.234 ozs. and lifts at approx. 230 r.p.m. As it is therefore essential that we should use a light valve it would seem advisable to continue the experiments in either finding a means of making the present alum. valves more resistant to corrosion or testing a valve of more resistant alloy. The new. alum. alloy produced by Hl. has proved to be particularly good in resisting corrosion and test pieces have resisted the action of sprayed sea-water for 3 months. contd :- | ||