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).
Bearing seizure tests comparing Hiduminium RR.56 and Aluminium Tin alloys, and the subsequent acquisition of manufacturing rights.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\5\ scan0221 | |
Date | 6th December 1938 guessed | |
10. the oil supply to the bearings was to be gradually reduced until seizure of a bearing occurred. It was found that the oil pressure had to be reduced to zero before one of the big-end bearings seized. On subsequent examination it was discovered that one of the Hiduminium RR.56 bearings had seized. The remaining five bearings consisting of two Hiduminium RR.56 and three Aluminium Tin were found to be in quite good condition. From the results of this test it was concluded that with either Hiduminium RR.56 (specially treated) or Aluminium tin bearings fitted at a minimum running clearance of 0.001" diameter for connecting rod bearings and 0.0012" diameter for Main Bearings, exceedingly severe treatment has to be given to the engine before anything serious happens to the bearings. Another manufacturer has tried this new bearing alloy in high performance racing car engines and reported that the tests showed quite conclusively that this material is far superior to anything he had previously tried, from a load-carrying point of view. We have acquired the sole manufacturing rights and welcome enquiries from manufacturers who run in to bearing difficulties which we feel sure this material will solve. We might add that we have laid down extensive plant for the manufacture of these and are in a position to give competitive prices | ||