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 Crossley Motors comparing the weight of engine components made from aluminium versus magnesium (electron).
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0029 | |
| Date | 3rd July 1936 | |
| CONTRACTORS TO BRITISH AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND COLONIAL DEPARTMENTS BY APPOINTMENT TO H.M. THE KING BY APPOINTMENT TO H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES CUSTOMERS' CARS ARE ONLY DRIVEN BY OUR STAFF AT CUSTOMERS' OWN RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY Crossley Motors Ltd. REGISTERED OFFICES AND WORKS: GORTON. MANCHESTER. IMPORTANT: ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE FIRM. PLEASE USE FOLLOWING REFERENCE IN YOUR REPLY. Drawing.1. 3rd July 1936. W.A. Robotham Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Ref: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}14/KW. Dear Mr. Robotham, I have your letter of the 1st inst., on the subject of the use of magnesium castings which are known to us as electron. I have had a number of the items weighed which we happen to have in the works both in aluminium and electron and made from the same pattern without any alteration, this will give you some idea what saving we make by using electron as compared with aluminium. Weight of induction pipe in aluminium.......... 10 lbs. " " " " " electron.......... 6½ lbs. Weight of valve cover in aluminium............ 11 lbs. " " " " " electron............ 7¾ lbs. Weight of oil sump in aluminium.............. 34¾ lbs. " " " " " electron.............. 19½ lbs. Weight of side cover for valves in aluminium.. 4 lbs. " " " " " " electron.. 3 lbs. Weight of combined air filler and breather for engine in aluminium................... 2 lbs. 14 ozs. -ditto- electron................... 1 lb. 11½ozs. Cont'd/. | ||