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).
Instructions for fine finishing and handling the flammability of Elektron metal swarf.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0127 | |
| Date | 19th September 1925 guessed | |
| SPECIALLY FINE FINISH. Where extreme accuracy and specially smooth finish is necessary, as for instance, in reamering an important hole, use a sharp reamer with fairly widely spaced cutters and employ high grade paraffin as lubricant running reamer rather slowly, and taking care that the swarf does not clog. Final reamer cut should be very slight. High grade paraffin should be solely used as a lubricant where such is considered necessary. Ordinary machining oils should be avoided as they contain water, which will inevitably corrode electron when constantly in contact as in machining operations. INFLAMMABILITY OF SWARF. Solid Electron metal in the form of bars, castings, etc. cannot be ignited by any ordinary means and must be raised considerably above the melting point before it will fire, so that there is absolutely no danger from this source. 1. Machines, benches, etc. where electron is worked, should be kept scrupulously clean, and care taken to prevent electron turnings becoming contaminated with other metals, waste, etc. 2. No smoking or naked lights should be allowed in the immediate vicinity of Electron machining operations. 3. Suds or other aqueous solutions must not be used as maching lubricant, as wet swarf burns more fiercely than dry when ignited, due to evolution of hydrogen from the water. 4. Turnings and swarf should be kept absolutely dry, or oxidation sets in rapidly, and they become worthless. 5. Immediately work on electron is finished, turnings, swarf, etc., in a clean condition should be placed in a metal bin with a well fitting lid.{A. J. Lidsey} 6. Should ignition of electron swarf take place through any accident, do not attempt to extinguish with water as this will only aggravate the trouble. 7. Keep a box of dry sharp sand (sea sand for instance) in the ELECTRON SECTION, and smother burning portion with this. 2. | ||