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).
Letter from steel manufacturer John Summers & Sons regarding the properties and supply of sheet steel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\5\ scan0106 | |
| Date | 24th November 1939 | |
| TELEGRAMS: SUMMERS, CHESTER. TELEPHONE: 200 CONNAH'S QUAY (10 LINES). JOHN SUMMERS & SONS, LIMITED. ESTABLISHED 1851. MANUFACTURERS OF GALVANIZED CORRUGATED AND PLAIN STEEL SHEETS, BLACK SHEETS AND HIGH GRADE SHEETS FOR ALL PURPOSES LONDON OFFICE: 34, LIME STREET, E.C. GLOBE IRON WORKS, STALYBRIDGE. BIRMINGHAM OFFICE: EXCHANGE BUILDINGS. ALL QUOTATIONS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ARE SUBJECT TO REPLY BY RETURN OF POST. CODES USED: BENTLEY'S: BENTLEY'S 2ND PHRASE. A.B.C. 6TH (5 LETTER) EDITION. MARCONI INTERNATIONAL. WESTERN UNION. BIRCHWOOD'S. LIEBER. Handwritten: 1010 Hawarden Bridge Steel Works, Shotton, Chester. YOUR REF. .................... OUR REF. G.S./D.479. 24th November, 1939. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham, Esq., Messrs. Rolls Royce Limited, D E R B Y. Dear Bill, I expect by now you will have got the two sample pieces of 16 gauge sheet, and I hope to send you in the next day or two a complete specification of the steel as regards its chemical and physical properties. We have had your official order for a further 8 pieces, but we are a little doubtful about the Carbon content. We find that steel is very critical in Carbon ranges between .2 and .3% and we might have to ask you to take .15 to .2% When you have tried out the two pieces you have got, I believe you might find that it is tougher than you would expect. Seen under the microscope it has a very fine and regular grain structure, and this is a characteristic of both hot and cold rolled strip. Generally speaking, the product of a strip mill is better in every way than the product of the old hand mill. I am interested to hear about your new car. It certainly has just the characteristics which I think desirable. My only fear is that after the war there will be nobody left who can afford to buy your products ! I still have my original Bentley: it is now well on in its sixth year, and is running as well and as quietly as ever. I | ||