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).
Failure of metal bearings during testing and an interest in an alternative.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\4\ img014 | |
| Date | 11th November 1935 | |
| To S.H. Grylls, Esq., c/o The Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. U S A Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}35/KW.11.11.35. We are not having the success with Hall's metal bearings that we anticipated. At the end of 46 hours endurance on the test bed both the big ends and the main had almost entirely disintegrated. Simultaneously Hancock wired from France that his mains had failed. We are therefore extremely interested in the cadmium white metal bearings, and would like you to call at Cleveland and send us full particulars of the 'brew' they employ and how they run the metal. I believe RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} has already cabled Ben Hopkins to give you the latest dope on the subject. The trouble with Hall's metal is undoubtedly largely due to poor adhesion. We gave Ben Hopkins the specification of the material and a sample bearing, and possibly by this time he will be able to tell you 101 reasons why it never can do any good. We shall be glad if you would pass this on to us. We have burnt out a 10" Borg & Beck clutch on Iorlock, but I don't know that the test was fair: we are going to repeat it. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} Copy also sent to The Commodore Hotel, New York. | ||