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 Ferodo Limited regarding brake lining recommendations for an austenitic steel structure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 141\1\ scan0056 | |
| Date | 26th September 1935 | |
| X1180 All Communications to be addressed to the Company. FERODO LIMITED TELEPHONE: 19 CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH (4 LINES) TELEGRAMS: FRICTION, PHONE, CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH. FERODO REGD. TRADE MARK BRAKE & CLUTCH LININGS CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH, STOCKPORT, ENGLAND. CODES: WESTERN UNION FIVE LETTER EDITION, BENTLEYS COMPLETE & 2ND PHRASE, MARCONI INTERNATIONAL, LIEBER'S CODE, LIEBER'S LATEST CODE, A.B.C. 5TH & 6TH EDITIONS. Depots:- LONDON 222, TOTTENHAM COURT RD W.1. ABERDEEN 26, GUILD STREET. BELFAST 8, 10 & 12, MONTGOMERY ST BIRMINGHAM 198, CORPORATION ST BRIGHTON 64, QUEEN'S ROAD. BRISTOL 118, VICTORIA STREET. CARDIFF 39, CHARLES ST DUBLIN 120, UPPER ABBEY ST GLASGOW 70, WATERLOO ST LEEDS UNSLET RD LIVERPOOL 1-3, BERRY STREET. MANCHESTER 32, CATHEDRAL ST NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, WORSWICK CHAMBERS. 10, WORSWICK ST OFF PILGRIM ST 26th. September 1935 YOUR REF. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}16/KW OUR REF. JNL/KM G.H.Grylls Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Mr. Grylls, Mr. Field told me that you were inquiring for a reply to your letter to me of the 12th. of September, and I am sorry to have occasioned you this trouble. The delay has not been intentional but is occasioned solely by the fact that I wanted to give as sensible and helpful a reply as was in my power. I must first of all state that I am not able to visualize the probable structure of a steel made to the printed specification you enclosed in your letter ( which specification is herewith returned). I must assume that the result will indeed be an austenitic structure, and this assumption forms the basis upon which the following opinion is given. Taking an average austenitic structure, I feel fairly confident that you will have no success with a non-metallic lining and furthermore I think you will need to use a lining of the Ferodo Bonded Asbestos type (i.e. black, with a zinc wire base). This opinion I give on account of the marked acicular structure of austenite. This recommendation of a zinc wire base is one which is probably new to you, but one which is brought forward for your special interest and attention. It is by no means new, but has been undergoing searching trial for some two years. This appears to me to be the ideal moment in which to introduce this lining to you, and if you will be so good as to let us know the sizes required an opportunity to supply you with trial sets will be greatly appreciated. The intention behind this suggestion is far more reaching than this, however, because ultimately it is our intention to produce all Ferodo bonded Asbestos with zinc wire; naturally, your approval of such a step is very necessary. Reverting for a moment to the question of a composite drum, the delay in replying to your letter was partly occasioned by the fact that at that very time tests were being carried out on our machine here on an almost identical idea for a firm of brake drum manufacturers. I do not think it can do any harm | ||