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).
Properties and sourcing of 'Invar' steel, stainless steel, and Fluxite for soldering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 8th November 1918 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EFC. c.c. to CJ. E.3407 RE "INVAR" STEEL EFC5/L.81118. We have often heard of the metal known as "Invar" Steel. I have looked this up in a catologue of the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Co., and find this is a Nickel Steel Alloy containing 36% of nickel. The expansion with temperature is about one fifth to one tenth that of platinum. Co-efficient of expansion of Platinum = .0000089 per degree c. (Common Steel .0000110) It takes a fine polish, and is none oxidisable in dry or moist air. We are asking the Order Office to write to Messrs. Wall of Sheffield, inquiring if they know anything of this metal. We will do what we can in the matter of co-efficients of expansion. Regarding Stainless steel in sheet metal we are making inquiries. Regarding Fluxite for soldering, we have used this ourselves a great deal. We do not think this any better or even as good as ordinary killed spirits, but we like it on account of its convenience. One has to be careful to remove every bit of Fluxite from any job after soldering or else an unsightly corrosive mess makes its appearance later on. EFC. | ||