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).
Laboratory report on the effects of a 'Kleenwell' salt solution for cleansing radiators.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0284 | |
| Date | 21th January 1928 | |
| Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Mr.Robotham. X4681 Hll/EA21.1.28. Laboratory. Re Cleansing of Radiators. As requested by you, we have investigated the effect of a solution containing 2lbs "Kleenwell" salts to one gallon of water, on radiator tubing and rubber jointing hose. We selected :- (1) A piece of rubber jointing hose. (2) Several new radiator tubes, tinned with solder at each end. (3) A group of old and dirty radiator tubes, extracted from a radiator. Each of these samples was immersed in the above mentioned solution for a period of 48 hours, which, you informed us, was the length of time for which the solution was allowed to remain in a radiator for cleaning purposes. Of this period the temperature of the solution was 90 - 100°C for 18 hours, and at room temperature for the remaining 30 hours (this latter includes the time occupied in cooling from the former temperature). On examination at the end of this period, the following points were noted :- (1) The rubber jointing was practically unaffected. (2) The dirty radiator tubes were clean. (3) All the radiator tubes had a microscopic film of tin. We do not think this tin deposit is likely to be the means of weakening the solder, since as soon as the brass is fully coated with tin, even of microscopic thickness, further action on the solder ceases, and consequently the amount taken from the solder is negligible. We send the above treated samples herewith. Hl. HE | ||