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).
Holding off on the use of magnesium for the Phantom III engine due to corrosion concerns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0022 | |
| Date | 17th June 1936 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By X1201 NOT SENT OUT Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW.17.6.36. Hold UP FOR TIME BEING Use of Magnesium on the Phantom III. The attached list shows that as a maximum we could save over 1 cwt. on the Ph.III engine by using magnesium. It is almost certain that as regards strength the Ph.III crankcase would stand up in magnesium, the main difficulty being whether the water passages could be protected against corrosion satisfactorily. We must say that we believe we are missing an opportunity in not being in a position to make magnesium castings. We have at present cleared for standardisation on the Bentley the gearbox, clutch pit and dashboard in magnesium, and are more or less told that the manufacture of these pieces is not a production proposition, and yet we go up to a derelict firm like Crossleys and find that magnesium castings, including crankcases, are being used extensively in their 'bus work. The same applies to Leylands. Since there is at present a move to use more magnesium on the Merlin, we should like to take the opportunity of trying out similar parts on the Ph.III. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Att: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Swd1.2/KW.17.6.36. | ||