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 Wellworthy Piston Rings Ltd. discussing magnesium loss and low copper content in castings for bearings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\5\ scan0136 | |
| Date | 26th September 1938 | |
| WELLWORTHY PISTON RINGS LTD., LYMINGTON HANTS WORKS TELEPHONE LYMINGTON 520 WORKS TELEGRAMS "WELLWORTHY" PRIVATE TELEPHONE LYMINGTON 232 MANAGING DIRECTOR'S OFFICE JH/KES 26th September, 1938. For the attention of Mr. Salt. 1020a . Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Sirs, We thank you for your letter of the 22nd instant the first paragraph of which exactly represents the position as we see it. We are satisfied to worry out our own difficulties with your co-operation as and when we require it. Regarding the paragraph on the subject of loss of magnesium, we had received previous to this, no information whatever that there was likely to be a loss of magnesium in the castings and, following the discovery of such a loss on some Napier bearings, we then inspected the ingots and found that these were only just within the range, but the copper in the ingots was low. Naturally we had not expected this and that was why we asked Mr. Richards of High Duty Alloys to come down and take samples from the ingots and also various castings. We now understand the procedure is that we should add 1½ oz. magnesium to each 100 lb. re-melt, and that we should also check over for the copper content and deal with it as set out in your letter in the event of it being low. We have instructed our laboratory to arrange accordingly such checks and we think we have now got over this difficulty. We would, however, point out to you that this has meant that we have had to scrap well over 1,000 bearings, most of which were machined and practically ready for delivery, but this is only incidental to the troubles one expects in developing a new material. So long as you will bear this in mind if [Handwritten notes:] files Row [Circular Stamp:] R.R. LTD A.I.D. 27 SEP 1938 RECEIVED | ||