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).
Technical memorandum discussing the properties and potential applications of the synthetic rubber 'Duprene'.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168b\2\ img315 | |
| Date | 22th October 1936 | |
| - 2 - BY.F/C.22.10.36. Under heading 3, I would like to remark that the usual Benzine mixture, which is marketed for a fuel, does not attack Duprene, but neat Benzine or cold tar spirits will readily attack the compound. Duprene can be used in connection with lubricating oil up to 180°C without deterioration. With regard to its suggested use in an ignition coil, as the oil is completely excluded Duprene compounds would undoubtedly be suitable. We should have to specify the durometer hardness we require. The sample I have handed to BY/RD. is distinctly harder than the material we are using for the jointing washers referred to above, but I am asking for some Duprene material in its softest condition. One other factor in connection with the Duprene compound is that it is completely resistant to ozone, and apparently some of the high tension coverings which have been before us recently, judging by their consistency and smell, have not been ozone resisting. There is no doubt in my mind now but that Duprene is a synthetic rubber, which is being developed in Germany to replace natural rubber, with the object of making themselves independent of tropical products. I did not recognise the material under the name of 'Duprene', but as soon as I was able to handle the sample it was quite clear to me that it was identical with the product I had had before me for some time for special purposes, and which we are recommending for certain purposes for oil resisting conditions. By BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||