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).
Clarifying the cost of R.R.50 aluminium alloy and comparing it with cheaper alternatives for potential use.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 142\4\ scan0076 | |
| Date | 27th January 1937 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}7/R.27.1.37. ALUMINIUM ALLOYS. We misinformed you the other day when we said that R.R.50 alloy cost us more when we obtained it in the form of castings from outside people than when it was cast in our own factory. The information we now have is that R.R.50 costs £120 per ton when we have got our royalties back, etc. irrespective of whether material is produced by us or Birmingham Aluminium Castings. The method of costing aluminium castings, due to the royalties involved, is frightfully complicated, and we are going to make recommendations to Ryce. forthwith for getting them on some standard basis. R.R.50 castings from outside have to bear the cost of carriage from High Duty Alloys. Reviewing the cost of these alloys again, we get:- R.R.50 to Rolls Royce £120 per ton L.5. - Birmals Alloy made of Virgin metal 89 " " Birmals No.6 - their best alloy not made of Virgin metal .......... 74 " " It should not be thought that No.6's are made up of sweepings off the floor as it has to conform to strict tensile test chemical analysis, etc. We are going ahead testing these less costly alloys so that we can definitely establish whether they can be used, without detriment, for the purpose of R.R. products. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} P.S. You will see from the attached summary by Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. that there is some money to be saved. | ||