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).
Use of high-grade steel for aero engines and other components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\3\ img014 | |
| Date | 15th January 1932 | |
| SC/ (crossed out) FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} KOR. (crossed out) ) (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.) BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} (crossed out) ) R1/M12.1.32. Sent from WW. 15.1.32. C. to F.S. or H.C. re. USE OF FIRTH'S HIGH GRADE STEEL. (PRODUCED BY ELECTRIC FURNACE.) X1494. I was very pleased to read that after thorough investiga-tion of the above we are not extravagantly wasteful in its use, and that it is probable any saving in first cost might easily be lost in scrap through imperfect material during manufacture. If this is so we are getting the greater reliability in the finished work without extra cost. Our work, especially in aero engines, demands and justifies the finest steels that are commercially produced for their particular purpose: this would tend to confirm BY's conclusions. It is dangerous to run two qualities for the same purpose for fear they get mixed, but we must keep a very searching eye on whatever economy is possible. Personally I cannot agree to using any steel for important parts that will not give a consistently high IMPACT test, which I beg should be our strictest law. (Arnold, Upton-Lewis, or Izod, are the tests I mean.) Also I have no use for bolts in steel that will easily stretch. We must have all bolts that can be tightened firmly and fearlessly, and remain tight. Our troubles in cost seem to be that others get together all the materials and a complicated chassis for a price we cannot understand, even if we had their numbers. It is true that in USA. they forge and cast nearer to size and only touch these where they must. There is much in the idea that the radiator cap never sees the radiator until the water is in ready for delivery. Regarding RR. spanners, these are very satisfactory in design but they are sent out in too soft a grade of steel, or not in good, stiff, physical condition. Easy forging steel should be used but stiff in the cold condition. R.{Sir Henry Royce} [STAMP: RECEIVED 1932 JAN 18] | ||