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 comparing the properties and carrying out ageing tests on three different lubricating compounds for a hypoid axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\5\ scan0237 | |
| Date | 24th March 1930 | |
| X2066. 'Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Mr.Lidsey. c to Dy.{F R Danby} Noted HE HL3/EA24.3.30. Laboratory. Lubricating Compounds for Hypoid Axle. Three samples of lubricating compound made by three different firms were submitted. They were as follows :- (1) Price's. (2) Whitmore's. (3) Wakefield's. It was noted that the Whitmore's compound was much thinner than usual (about half the normal thickness). This may be due to the fact that we complained of the thickness of the previous material or possibly the sample may have been taken from the top of the barrel. The relative viscosities were approx. as follows, Price's 3.0, Whitmore's 1.0, Wakefields 3.25. The Wakefield's compound has been tested on the Laboratory rig and found to be somewhat superior to Whitmore's. If desired the actual figures can be supplied. Ageing tests were carried out on all three compounds and on mixtures of one with another etc. Details of our examination afterwards are given below :- Ageing Tests. Each sample of lubricating compound placed in a small glass dish and maintained at 95ºC for 48 hrs. Description of appearance after above treatment. Price's - Thin Skin on top and thickened considerably. No distinct sediment. Feels smooth. Whitmore's - Top layer slightly more liquid than before. The bottom layer, which was about 60% of the total, was similar to a thick grease and was not pourable. Wakefield's - Skin on top not so marked as Price's. Thickness not much greater than original. No sediment. Smooth. 50% Price's ( Slight skin. Top layer about same thickness 50% Whitmore's ( as before. Slightly thickened sediment (about 20% of total) just pours. 50% Wakefield's ( Top layer quite fluid. Sediment somewhat thicker 50% Whitmore's ( (35% of total) will just pour. 50% Wakefield's ( Slight skin. No change in fluidity. No sediment 50% Price's ( to speak of. 1/3 Wakefield's ( Slight skin. No change in fluidity of top 1/3 Whitmore's ( layer. Bottom layer (15% of total) just 1/3 Price's ( pourable. Hl. HE [Handwritten text on left margin]: Colour Test. Whitmore's Pour at 15ºF.{Mr Friese} Prices is distinctly thinner than Whitmore's. Film would not... | ||