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 from a supplier discussing experiments with tin-coated pistons and rings to address high surface temperatures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\3\ scan0335 | |
| Date | 6th May 1938 guessed | |
| -2- Rolls Royce Ltd. structure of the cylinder, and the ring itself, as to cause a polishing action on the parent matrix, rether than an action which would disrupt this latter. The other line of attack is based on the theory that the feature primarily responsible is high surface temperature, which is limited only by the point at which the element having the lowest melting point commences to melt. If therefore, the surface to be bedded, is coated with some low melting point element such as tin, the temperature rise is limited to this point, and the minute areas of high pressure which cause a break down of the oil film, are shifted about as the tin alternately melts and solidifies, whilst allowing the normal process of rubbing in to continue. We can say very definitely that our experiments over a very large number of tin-coated pistons, certainly would suggest that the second line of attack is a very promising one, and we are now taking steps to experiment with the process on rings as well as pistons. If you would care to have some, kindly let us know and we shall be only too pleased to respond. On the face of it, one would be inclined to think that there is nothing on the Oxide treatment which would prevent high surface temperatures. Please forgive the writer, if the foregoing contains a good deal of information already in your possession, but it seems to be the only satisfactory way to answer your communication. In the meantime, we are also doing some laboratory work in connection with Oxide films or changes in surface structure, and will keep you posted as soon as these bear any fruit, or alternately as soon as we hear from America, If on the other hand, details of the Ferrox process come to you by any means, perhaps you will be good enough to pass this information on. Yours faithfully, FOR THE LIGHT PRODUCTION CO.LTD, C.M.D Cookes GENERAL MANAGER. | ||