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).
The unsatisfactory results of experiments with Firth 'Stabrite' Silver Steel for soldering, brazing, and welding.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0037 | |
| Date | 15th December 1924 | |
| H4111 By from RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. Ws. ------------- RE FIRTH "STABRITE" SILVER STEEL. We have carried out further experiments on the "Stabrite" material supplied and the results obtained are still very unsatisfactory. This material does not compare in the least with our standard Petrol Tank material, and until some material can be offered which works equally as well it is useless to proceed further. The chief trouble is that the material cannot be annealed. We have produced a sample Double Fold Joint as used on our Petrol Tank End Plates, and whilst it appears alright, it was only after great difficulty it was accomplished, and we doubt whether it could be performed on a complete End Cover, owing to its toughness. SOLDERING. We have soldered a sample Petrol Tank Joint using the Flux supplied and our standard solder(65% tin and 35% lead) and whilst the Joint is good, the material does not solder as well as our standard, the chief difficulty being that there is a scum works up and it is difficult to get rid of same, consequently it takes much longer to carry out the soldering operation. BRAZING. We adhered to the instructions given us by Mr. Hall contained in paragraph "D", where he states that in order to avoid oxidation the work should be dipped in a solution of molten borax. It was with great difficulty that we succeeded in brazing the cap on the sample tube herewith. It will be seen by the sample that the cap is distorted badly, which is further proof of the difficulty experienced in brazing. WELDING. The result obtained is very poor. We used a strip of "Stabrite" as recommended by Mr. Hall for welding with the results shown. We agree that this material would be satisfactory for Press Die Work and will also roll, but it is no use for a job where any handwork is necessary because of its toughness. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} | ||