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).
The use and properties of Nickel Alloy Steels in the construction of the 'Golden Arrow' land speed record car.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\1\ scan0253 | |
Date | 15th March 1932 guessed | |
BREAKING RECORDS & BREAKING STRESSES. NICKEL ALLOY STEELS IN THE "GOLDEN ARROW." On March 11th*, at Daytona Beach, Sir Henry Segrave broke the World’s Speed Record on land by driving an automobile 24 miles per hour faster than anyone ever had travelled before. In an Irving-Napier Special machine, which had been named the “Golden Arrow,” he attained an average speed, in two runs in opposite directions, over a measured mile of 231.36 miles per hour. Success in an effort of this kind depends almost entirely upon three factors, namely, the courage and skill of the driver, the design of the car, and the materials used in construction. What the man who undertakes to drive an automobile at these tremendous speeds has to face was tragically illustrated at Daytona two days after this successful attempt, and it is unnecessary to dwell on that aspect here. The world has expressed its appreciation of Sir Henry Segrave’s magnificent effort.* Yet, however great be the coolness, skill and experience of the driver, it is not always appreciated how little he can do when his machine is travelling with this high velocity. He can even out minor deviations and keep the car moving in the same general direction, but he must rely almost entirely on the perfect functioning of his machine to avoid the effects of variation of surface or other fortuitous occurrences during the run. This emphasises the importance of design, and it is impossible to exaggerate the credit which is due to Captain J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} S. Irving, the designer of the “Golden Arrow,” for the remarkable way in which the car “handled” during the record-breaking attempt and the smoothness with which everything went “according to plan.” A glance at the illustrations on this page and on page 2 will give some idea of the complex problems involved in keeping down the effects of wind pressure and at the same time fitting into the limited space available the power unit and transmission, together with steering gear, braking mechanism and accommodation for the driver himself. In the solution of problems of this kind the designer is very largely limited by the materials which he has available. Thus he dare not use a steel which will withstand a stress of only 40 tons per sq. inch where there is the slightest possibility that a stress of 50 or 60 tons per sq. inch might be *The honour of knighthood was conferred on Major Segrave in recognition of his achievement. [Image Caption: Fig. 1 Sir Henry Segrave in the “Golden Arrow” at Daytona Beach.] [Page 2 Content] [Image Caption: The 'Golden Arrow' during construction :- By courtesy of Captain J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} S. Irving. The immense length (19' 6") of the side members is specially noticeable.] air-hardening nickel-chromium steel. A typical analysis of a steel of this type is :— Carbon. Per cent. 0·3, Manganese. Per cent. 0·5, Nickel. Per cent. 4·25, Chromium. Per cent. 1·25 and this when cooled in still air from 820° C. (1510° F.{Mr Friese}) will give a maximum stress of at least 100 tons per sq. inch with a Brinell hardness of over 450. It is of particular value when distortion has to be avoided completely. Nickel in the Modern Automobile. This accomplishment of the “Golden Arrow” has been the means of proving many things, but it has certainly not demonstrated anything more clearly than the variety of application and the dependability of nickel alloy steels under the severest of conditions. The details given above indicate that every metal part of the machine that might have to withstand stress, shock or wear of any magnitude was made of the nickel-containing materials. The same factors which led to this choice, together with others, such as ease of heat-treatment, a high strength/weight ratio and economy in production, are of course resulting in the nickel alloy steels being utilised to an ever growing extent in all automobile and aeronautical engineering. And not only in the form of steels is nickel introduced into the modern automobile, but also as alloys with copper, copper and zinc, aluminium, iron and chromium, in nickel alloy cast irons, and as the metal itself for plating and in sparkling plug “points.” Space forbids a discussion of these varied applications, but further information may be obtained from the publications listed opposite. [Image Caption: Fig. 9 By courtesy of Messrs. Gillett and Stephen. Rear view of the Gear Box showing the Double Drive.] | ||