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 test result sheet on the foaming properties of various oils for use in shock absorbers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\1\ Scan115 | |
| Date | 6th January 1928 | |
| H.R.A.794a 1m.11-26 50599 RESULT OF LABORATORY TEST ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. Test No. Date January 6th, 1928. Oils Sheet #1 Foaming of Oils considered for use in Shock Absorbers. About a 300 cc sample of each oil was beaten vigorously by a specially contrived paddle. The stirring was done by the fastest speed available on a drilling machine. Oils Used. First Indications. 5 min. stirring. 15 min. stirring. Final Appearance Foam lasted Mobiloil E Few bubbles formed in 1/2 minute. foam gathered around edge for 1/4". Amount of foam decreased about 1/2 Foam 1/8" thick all over about 5 min. 80% Mobile E 20% Glycerine Larger bubbles formed than with E in 1/2 min. Foam about 1/8" around edge Almost stopped foaming. 1/8" thick over all. about 23 " Lovejoy Fairly large bubbles formed at once Foam about 1/8" Increased to 1/4" wide. thin foam covering 3/4 surface about 7 " Mobile Arctic Very large bubbles formed at once Foam increased considerably. Foams very badly Heavy foam about 12 " Velvoline Lt. Few fine bubbles formed in 1/2 min. Foam about 1/8" No increase Slight foam about 5 " Lard Oil Few fine bubbles after 1 minute Few bubbles Slight increase Thin layer of very fine bubbles about 4 " Castor Oil Few fine bubbles after 2 minutes Very fine bubbles but not at edge. Fine foam increased White turbid solution cleared in 1 1/2 hrs. 80% Castor Oil 20% denatured alcohol few fine bubbles after 2 minutes. Quite a few fine bubbles much less number of bubbles. Clear solution - few bubbles. 10 minutes. 50% Castor Oil 50% De. Alcohol Started foaming at once. Large bubbles 1/2" from edge. No increase in foaming. Large foaming bubbles on outside 8 minutes. continued | ||