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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).
Friction tests for thin and thick leaf cantilever springs under different conditions.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 35\2\  scan 245
Date  6th November 1920
  
To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
c. to CJ.
c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington}
c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}
c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}
c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}
c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}
c. to EWT. for R.R. Inc.
x2748
Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG6.11.20.
Curves attached to original.
X.2748. FRICTION IN CENTILEVER SPRINGS.
We have carried out a number of tests measuring the amount of friction in different types of cantilever springs, under different conditions. The curves attached show the difference in friction between thin leaf and thick leaf springs when rusty and when greased. When the springs were tested the centre bearing and clips were fixed in the spring. The results shown by measuring the firction confirm the results obtained on the road test i.e., when the springs are greased there is practically no difference between the thin leaf and thick leaf springs but there is a big differente between them when they are rusty. Owing to the fact that as soon as the thick leaf springs are rusty they squeak and make a noise, one would expect they would be more frequently greased than thin leaf springs.
We cannot say we are out of our spring troubles when we revert to the thin leaf springs. When the car is new they should give the same effect on an undulating road as the present springs and if they are run without being greased so that they give an enormous amount of friction, we shall get complaints from 90% of our customers in England. We feel that we are certainly right in persevering with the Ferodo interleaving material because with the help of it we think there is a hope of getting a spring in which the friction
Contd.
  
  


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