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).
Cylinder bore wear and the effectiveness of flash plating.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 132\5\ scan0163 | |
| Date | 16th December 1943 | |
| 1123 To: Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to FJH{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}/GTS. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 8/h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 16.12.43. CYLINDER BORE WEAR - FLASH PLATING. I am interested in the point at which the flash chrome plate ceases to control bore wear. There must obviously be some point where it disappears completely and the rate of wear for the cylinder becomes virtually the same as if it had not been treated. You have plated bores in Lp{Mr Lappin}'s car and in 9BV. I do not know in what other engines. I should like you to keep a reasonably frequent check on the wear of these blocks so that we can see when the critical point is reached. With regard to the smaller bore engines - that is 3¼" and 3" - I have the impression that both these blocks have shown a, relatively speaking, high rate of wear, even considering that they are normally untreated cast-iron bores. GTS. takes the view that this rate of wear will not matter because it can be eliminated by chrome plating and that tin plated pistons will take care of scuffing. I believe that even with tin plated pistons and chrome plated bores, we must have well lubricated pistons, and it seems evident that as the size of the bore is reduced - less oil is thrown on to it. I should like all small bore engines in the future to have 3 bores flash chromium plated and 1 left untreated. The untreated bore will give us a figure of merit for the way in which the care is driven and the lubrication. I should like GTS. to give me a relative rate of bore wear for the unit in 12BV., 1RT1., and the Austin Myth, compared with standard 3¼" bores in our other chassis. Having seen this, we can discuss what modification to the cylinder bore lubrication is desired. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||