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 requesting analysis results for Luvax Bijur oil and posing questions about Castrol 'R' and other castor-based oils for lubrication.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\1\ Scan181 | |
| Date | 26th April 1929 | |
| Y3806 Expl: Dept: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gyl/LG. 26th. April 1929. Messrs. C.C.Wakefield Ltd., Wakefield House, Cheapside, London E.C.4. Dear Sirs, For the attention of Mr. Evans. Referring to our letter ref. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gyl/LG. of the 13th.ult. in which we stated that we were sending a sample of Luvax Bijur oil for the purposes of analysis with regard to central lubrication. We shall be glad to know whether you have examined this oil and your opinion on it. So far our tests on Castrol 'R' have proved successful but you will realise that it entails a tremendous amount of time before we can appreciate fully the inherent qualities of an oil. We should therefore be glad if you will clear up the following points: (1) Is there any tendency for Castrol R.{Sir Henry Royce} to gum up in a bearing after standing for some while. This is a point which Luvax raise in regard to your oil. (2) We believe an oil with a castor base is liable to attack certain metals after some time. Is it a fact that Castrol R.{Sir Henry Royce} left in the pipe line for a considerable time may have a detrimental effect. (3) In remote places, a customer may find it impossible to obtain a well-known proprietary brand. Is it your opinion that it would be permissible to recommend pure medicinal castor oil for central lubrication purposes. We have been told by a representative of an Oil Company that its water-whiteness is a guarantee of purity but we have reason to believe that such oil is untreated for wax content etc. and hence would not be suitable for our lubricating system. Yours faithfully, | ||