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 to Ferodo Ltd. regarding the development of a brake friction lining with minimal fade for racing purposes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 141\1\ scan0115 | |
| Date | 1st April 1936 | |
| X 118D Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}21/KW. 1st April, 1936. J.N. Longley, Esq., Chief Chemist, Messrs. Ferodo Ltd., Chapel-en-le-Frith. Dear Mr. Longley, We are very anxious to find a brake friction lining which has the absolute minimum of fade, for racing purposes. It is unlikely that in the ensuing half year we will be able to standardise any drums with increased rate of cooling; therefore we must find two materials which, working together, have a constant coefficient of friction. Squeaks do not matter: the wear must be reasonable. After the most convincing demonstration of "fade" you staged for Mr. Robotham and myself you will agree that we need something better for racing. Please let us know if we can change our drum material with advantage, and we will immediately instruct drums accordingly. I have not received the various graphs you promised to send; I presume you hold them up for some reasons. Kind regards. Yours very truly, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||