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 Bakelite Limited enquiring about moulded gear blanks made from laminated Phenolic material for use in Phantom III engine timing gears.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\1\ scan0218 | |
| Date | 24th June 1937 | |
| Experimental Department 24th June 1937. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}10/AP. Bakelite Limited, 68 Victoria St.{Capt. P. R. Strong}, LONDON S.W.1. Dear Sirs, We are writing to ask whether you make moulded gear blanks in laminated Phenolic material suitable for use in the timing gears of car engines. On our 12 cylinder Phantom III, engine we at present use an Idler gear of Fabroil A meshing with three case-hardened steel gears. Our trouble with this material is wear of the Fabroil gear of the order of 0.001" on the pitch line per 1000 miles. We therefore wish to try experimentally some gears in alternative materials with a view to finding one with greater wear resistance. Will you please let us know whether you make such blanks and if so, whether you already supply them for the same application to other car manufacturers. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||