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).
Letter discussing issues with machining Tungsten alloy rods and sourcing alternative contacts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\5\ scan 151 | |
| Date | 26th October 1920 | |
| Oy11 - G 281020 Oct. 26, 1920 Mr. Claude Johnson, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. Attention: Mr.E.F.Clarke. Dear Sir:- X.2894 Re: Tungsten Contacts In my letter of Oct. 19th re. the above subject (Oy17-G191020) I stated that I had written the Fansteel Products Co., the makers of the Tungsten alloy rod sent to England last winter and which Mr. Clarke has been unable to machine. I attach herewith a copy of their reply and enclose catalog sheets descriptive of their product, which I think will be interesting to Mr. Clarke. Assuming that England are still interested in pursuing this subject further, we have sent drawings of our platinum rivets to the Fansteel Products Co. and are asking them to make us one dozen sets of contacts for experimental purposes in England. Mr. Clarke will notice that the welding of Tungsten contacts on to iron rivets should be carried out in a non-oxydizing atmosphere. Perhaps he will also note that we believe the Crecium alloy, which is the name given to the rods which we sent last winter, is believed to be an attempt at improving the pure Tungsten. Will Mr. Clarke arrange to return to us the Tungsten rods which we sent last winter and which he is unable to use, so that we may return them to the maker. With regard to the contacts which Mr. Clarke has used, made by the Independent Lamp & Wire Co., we have received the sample set which failed on the experimental car and are forwarding these to the makers with a copy of Mr. Clarke's report. It is probable that we shall have some interesting comments from | ||