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).
Arguing for the use of 'Hykro' material for Bentley 25/30 HP Chassis crankshafts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\5\ scan0124 | |
| Date | 30th December 1936 | |
| Lide Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [crossed out] Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} BY/EM. [crossed out] BY/Cgh{W Clough} [crossed out] 217 Swdl{Len H. Swindell} Where is our Hycro crank Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} BENTLEY AND 25/30 HP. CHASSIS - RE: MATERIAL FOR CRANKSHAFTS I am of the opinion that we should at once go into production on the 'Hykro' material for the Bentley crankshaft. My reasons for expressing the above view are as follows :- (a). We will obtain a brinell of 900 on the bearing surfaces which will immediately cure the excessive wear on the crankshaft which we are experiencing when we attempt to use lead bronze or HL's alloy for main bearings. (b). The physical tests for the core strength show that Hykro is at least 10/15% higher. (c). The English Steel Corporation assure me that the fatigue figures are higher for Hykro than VCM. I will have these through in the course of a day or two, and the figures will be circulated. (d). The material can be obtained at a similar price to that which we are paying for V.C.M. without any difficulty. It works equally easily in the dies for forging. I have taken this matter up, both with the production side at the English Steel Corporation and Mr. Burton, the Chief Metallurgist, and in both instances they confirm that they can give as good deliveries in Hykro as in V.C.M. There are, of course, Phantom lll cranks and Bentley cranks being machined in the Experimental Department at the moment, which have been made in Hykro steel, but the point I am urging is that we should order the cranks for 'L' series in Hykro, which will put the English Steel Corporation on their metal and put the matter as to capacity for production beyond dispute. By BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||