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).
Description of the indium plating and baking process for bearings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\2\ scan0539 | |
| Date | 4th March 1940 guessed | |
| - 4 - The anode is cylindrical gauge "crucible platinum" - 3/8" diameter and 3" long. After plating with indium, the bearings are rinsed in the indium recovery tank and cold water. "Contents of the recovery tank (originally cold water) will be poured periodically into the concentration tank" from which the indium is recovered. Indium plated bearings are "baked" two hours in engine oil at 340 deg. F.{Mr Friese} The oil is changed every 500 bearings or every three weeks. Inasmuch as I have never done this job with my own hands, this story is more or less hearsay, and some of it I'm not too clear about in my own mind but I think probably your Lab. experts will be able to figure out what the process is. If any of it needs amplification tell me about it and I'll do my best. | ||