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 to English Steel Corporation Ltd. regarding a laboratory report on decarburisation issues found in front coil springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\2\ scan0093 | |
| Date | 12th May 1938 | |
| c. H1/wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} c. Ro{C. C. Rose - Export Manager}1/MS. 1305. 12th. May 1938. BY.33/G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Messrs. English Steel Corporation Ltd., Vickers Works, Sheffield. For the attention of Mr. Burton. Dear Sirs, Front Coil Spring - Independent Suspension. FB.3545. I am sending you herewith my copy of our Laboratory report (H1/EJW.2/GS.9.5.38.) You will notice from the report that serious decarburisation has taken place, not only on the surface of the steel but also in the body showing deposition of ferrite during forging operations, which has not been taken up subsequently in the heat treatments. I would imagine with ferrite in the body of the material it is pre-eutectoid ferrite, and ineffective treatment. It is very evident that some decarburisation must inevitably take place during the heating and cooling operations, and whilst this may to some extent be offset by the work hardening effect of shot blasting operation, it would be better for everybody concerned if it could be avoided completely, and I would suggest that quenching from a cyanide bath represents an experiment well worth carrying out at your end, to increase the reliability of the spring. Whilst discussing springs, I would like to have an opportunity of talking over with the person responsible for produce the ground end, the accuracy and finish, as we find springs tend to bow in service, and whilst I can appreciate the fact that a spring which may be square when free can bow under load, there are certain other aspects of the matter which I think could be better ventilated if one of your representatives could come over to discuss the matter. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. CHIEF ENGINEER - CHASSIS | ||