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).
Letter concerning the failure analysis of an experimental Oilite Thrust Washer for a water pump.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\1\ scan0341 | |
| Date | 25th May 1939 | |
| 1269 THE MANGANESE BRONZE & BRASS COMPANY LTD. TELEPHONE: IPSWICH 2127 (3 LINES) SPECIALISTS IN HIGH DUTY NON-FERROUS METALS HANDFORD WORKS IPSWICH SUFFOLK TELEGRAMS: BRONZE IPSWICH OILITE SELF LUBRICATING BEARINGS HEAD OFFICE: CAXTON HOUSE . LONDON S.W.1 OUR REF. ER/SV. YOUR REF. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Ed.{J. L. Edwards}10/MH.{M. Huckerby} Experimental Department. 25th May, 1939. Handwritten: Water Pump Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Sirs: We are in receipt of your communication of the 22nd instant and also of the experimental Oilite Thrust Washer to Drawing ExS.1020 which has failed after short service upon a Water Pump. The matter has had the careful consideration of our Technical Department and in the first place, from the Assembly Drawing we conclude that the Washer is not in contact with water. From the appearance of the Washer, we have drawn the conclusion that heating has occurred from friction set up between the Shaft and the Gland Packing, as traces of carbonised Oil were evident on the Washer surfaces and the only method of overcoming this that we can determine is by some form of Gland Lubricant. Upon determining the Oil Content of the sample we find that this has been reduced to 11.1% and we are of the opinion that ordinary Gland Packing, if unlubricated, will absorb Oil from the Washer and thus materially reduce its self-lubricating properties. | ||