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 of copper versus brass tubing in radiators for the U.S.A. to address corrosion from alkaline water.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\3\ scan0024 | |
| Date | 27th July 1920 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " HL. " " EFC. " " Oy. X.3678 R12/G27.7.20. X.3678. RE RADIATORS FOR U.S.A. X.3456. They are urging us to use some copper tubing because of the effect of alkaline in the water causing corrosion of the brass. To add alkaline to the water would be an easy matter experimentally, but to find out whether it had any effect on brass compared with soldered copper would require the attention perhaps of Mr. Hall. Would you ask Mr. Hall to help you in the matter. My own impression is that as we are already sending out radiators with brass tubes, and there is so much brass work about a radiator independent of the tubes, and there is also the solder and iron in connection with the water system, that the change from brass to copper for the tubes only would not materially increase the life of the water system. If, however, water becomes acid or alkaline, a certain amount of granulated zinc of comparatively pure zinc could be introduced into the system we should protect such a material as brass from being corroded. I should like you to go into this matter with Mr. Hall, and Mr. Clark, and let me have your joint suggestions. The impression I had in reference to the tubing submitted from the states was that it was very thin and very likely to collapse with great pressure, that it had hexagon ends, and would not in any way make a radiator which was equal mechanically to that which we are at present sending out. I have therefore written to London that we cannot agree that there will be a material benefit in using copper pipes for radiators and that we have already sent out a very Contd. | ||