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).
Use of rubber versus leather washers for a radiator blanking plate and fittings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\2\ Scan087 | |
| Date | 1st March 1920 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from EY. [crossed out] c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Mr. Shelton. CK{Mr Clark} [handwritten] x.3456 [handwritten] BY15/P2. 3. 20. x.3453 [crossed out] RADIATOR - RE BLANKING PLATE AND FITTINGS. x.3456 [handwritten] In our original scheme we arranged for rubber washers under the steel washers in the front of the radiator, but when the scheme was received from the Experimental Dept. later, they deleted the rubber and replaced same by leather. If rubber had been used as originally intended it would have acted as a spring washer and would not have dried up under the action of the heat, which was one of the main reasons for originally using rubber in this position. We would like to know now whether you would suggest using rubber washers again or a spring washer, as the leather will certainly dry up and allow the bolt to work loose, which in turn will rub a hole through the radiator tube. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||