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).
Use and development of an aluminium tin alloy for engine bearings, mentioning trials on a Ford big end.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\1\ scan0362 | |
| Date | 24th June 1937 | |
| -2- Ben Hopkins is very anxious to try some of the aluminium tin alloy on a Ford big end, where they have had a tremendous amount of trouble. The arrangement of the Ford big end is rather similar to the scheme we have been running very successfully on the P.III. Hopkins also wanted to know what the position of the Licence was in America. We referred him to Mr. Wilson, whom we believe will be communicating with him in due course. His opinion of our results is illustrated by the fact that he has ordered 1 cwt. of the R.R. material from Devereux. Briefly, therefore, two years intense development has enabled us to ascertain the best aluminium tin alloy, and also the correct way to lubricate these bearings. We, ourselves, are hoping to go back to white metal, because we have re-designed the engine, and in doing so, increased our main bearing area. We shall still be forced to use aluminium tin for connecting rods, however. In the case of a manufacturer whose bearings are over-loaded, and to whom the re-design of an engine would cost an enormous amount of money (a good example being the Ford Motor Co.), this material might be a 'God-send'. The cheap by-pass filter, now used universally in America, gets over the difficulty of filtration; clean oil is a necessity with the aluminium tin alloy bearing. We believe that the time has come when a market could be sought for this alloy with a reasonable chance of success. If Devereux is given the 'go ahead', should like to have the opportunity of discussing the technicality of lubrication with him. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||