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 the Air Ministry regarding the use and properties of Tantalum in steel alloys, following a sample being brought from America.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0259 | |
| Date | 19th May 1932 | |
| HR Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} HHR X474 TEL. NO. HOLBORN 3434. Any communications on the subject of this letter should be addressed to :— THE SECRETARY, AIR MINISTRY, ADASTRA HOUSE, KINGSWAY LONDON. W.C.2. and the following number quoted :— 175832/32/R.D.E. AIR MINISTRY, LONDON, W.C.2. 19th May, 1932. Gentlemen, In the course of Mr. Rowbotham's very interesting report on his recent visit to America, mention was made of the use of Tantalum and he was further good enough to leave a small sample of the material. The matter was referred to the Materials Branch of the Directorate who advise me that some years ago a series of steels containing up to 2 per cent of Tantalum were investigated in Sheffield; these alloys were generally hard and brittle and, quite apart from the matter of cost itself practically prohibitive, no practical application appeared likely. The small sample, however, is being further examined and all available literature looked up. If any point of interest arises I will advise you in due course. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, [Illegible Signature] Assistant Director/R.D.E. for Director of Technical Development. Messrs. Rolls Royce, Ltd., Derby. [Stamp: RECEIVED 20 MAY 1932] | ||