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).
Proposing the use of a new 'Stabrite' steel from Messrs Firths for petrol tank material.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0036 | |
| Date | 17th October 1924 | |
| √411 c. CJ. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} PETROL TANK MATERIAL. ----------- I am sending you herewith a small sample of a new steel which has been developed by Messrs Firths. It is known as "Stabrite" ( stay-bright). The material in question is an alloy of Nickel and Chrome. It has practically no carbon, and is a new material for replacing what was commonly known as "Stainless Iron". In the case of Stainless Iron, however, it was not amenable to solder and was difficult to weld, and therefore did not adapt itself to our requirements. The new "Stabrite" steel is capable of being soldered and welded quite normally. It's normal condition and colour is as the sample submitted. The roughness of the surface is due to the fact that this is the commercial state in which the steel would be sold, and is in merely the de-scaled condition. The scale is cleaned off by means of an acid, but the acid does not attack the steel itself. It merely attacks the scale, which must be some form of oxide, possibly of nickel and chromium, and loosens it from the surface to which it normally adheres, so that when the plate is taken from the pickling bath, the whole of the scale is left behind, and the plate is in the condition of the sample, having the same frosted silvery appearance. This appearance never alters. It can be left out in the weather, dipped in acid, and in fact is the only material of this description which will resist acetic acid permanently. I propose obtaining sufficient material to make up a petrol tank from this, to start with, if you are in agreement. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||