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 L.R.B. Pearce, Ltd. discussing the properties and availability of different antifreeze materials for radiators.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0079 | |
| Date | 5th March 1939 | |
| X1435. ALL OFFERS SUBJECT TO BEING UNSOLD AND WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT AND SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ON ADMIRALTY, AIR MINISTRY, WAR OFFICE AND INDIAIndia OFFICE LISTS. R {Sir Henry Royce} /G TELEPHONES: ROYAL 8742-3. TELEGRAMS: ELLARBEPEA, FEN, LONDON. CODE: BENTLEY. L.R.B. Pearce, Ltd., DIRECTORS: L.R.B.PEARCE, B.Sc.,A.I.C.,K.C.S. M.W.PEARCE. WATKIN M.GRIFFITHS. M.R.S. 50. Mark Lane, London E.C.3. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. 5th March 1939. Expl.Dept. Ref. Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Rml/LG. Dear Sirs, We are in receipt of your letter of the 4th inst. of which we have taken due note. There are only two materials in common use in this country as antifreezes, and they are firstly RAD and secondly Ethylene Glycol. Trimethyleneglycol is a bye-product of soap, but only in very small quantities, and is not actually isolated or purified. It would be impossible to use crude Trimethyleneglycol even if this were obtainable, as it would be contaminated with salt which would have a serious corrosive effect on the metal work of radiators. It is absolutely essential to use a refined purified and tested material, and in this connection we emphasize the research which was carried on before RAD was put before the public. It has met with an immediate response and is guaranteed to do the work required effectively. A great point about RAD is it does not evaporate from the cooling system, and the only further attention required is to add from time to time water to replace evaporation losses. We are afraid that Trimethyleneglycol would have to be imported into this country and would moreover pay a duty. So far as we know, it has never been put forward in connection with radiator antifreezing compounds, and would necessitate careful work before we would recommend you to use it. | ||