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).
Note on the effect of alcohol on samples of Petroflex flexible tubing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 88\5\ scan0212 | |
| Date | 1st March 1934 | |
| 260. Note No.E.3398. March, 1934. ROYAL AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHMENT, SOUTH FARNBOROUGH. Note on Effect of alcohol on samples of Petroflex flexible tubing. -by- F.G.Barlow, B.Sc. R.A.E.Ref: T.C.1252/1949. D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Tests have been made to determine the effect of alcohol and petrol mixtures on the linings of two samples of Petroflex tubing. The tubing tested was made of an internal wire helix, several layers of animal gut forming an inner tube, a stout outer canvas casing, and an external helically wound wire. The samples were 1/2 inch bore, 2 feet long, and were complete with end connections. Each pipe was mounted with one end clamped to a stationary support, and the other to a frame vibrating with an amplitude of 1/32 inch and a speed of 1250 oscillations per minute. Additions of 5% iso propyl, and 5% ethanol alcohol in petrol to D.T.D.Specification 134 were allowed to stand continuously in the pipes under a static head of 2 feet, the pipes being vibrated for part of the time. At the conclusion of the endurance and vibration test the pipes satisfactorily sustained an internal air pressure of 20 lb./sq. inch while submerged under water, and, finally, were sectioned for internal examination. One pipe contained the iso propyl alcohol mixture for a total of 3014 hours, and was vibrated for 290 hours of that period, resulting in 43.5 million reversals. The ethanol mixture stood for 2900 hours in the second sample of pipe, which was vibrated for 203 hours, and was subjected to 30.5 million reversals. No adverse effect due to the action of the alcohol mixtures was observed in either of the pipes tested. | ||