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).
Communication discussing various bearing metal alloys and an extract from Allison Engineering regarding compounded oils.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\2\ scan0120 | |
Date | 23th February 1935 guessed | |
(4) It has also been our conclusion that radically new types of bearing metals should not be adopted by anybody for 100% production until at least after one year of experience in the field. In the absence of such experience, we have refused to recommend to anybody the use of cadmium bearing alloy except in an experimental way. As to your statement that there seems to be a possibility of developing in this direction a bearing metal having better physical properties than white metal, whilst at the same time being cheaper and easier to produce than lead bronze: I beg to call your attention to the fact that at the present moment we can produce the Ford floating connecting rod bearing, with bearing metal on both sides of the steel shell, more cheaply in Cadmium-Nickel than we can furnish it with copper-lead. However, where bearing metal is applied to only one side of the steel, we are now in a position where we can produce that type of bearing with copper-lead for less money than with any cadmium alloy or with babbitt. Of course, I realise that the conditions in your country, with your small production, would not necessarily conform to the conditions over here, with our large production. However, it would be my suggestion that, in this particular instance, you should defer giving any consideration to any cadmium alloy until more actual experience, in the field, has been attained over here. If it should ultimately appear that a cadmium alloy will satisfactorily perform for your service, we can then advise you as to the comparative cost of such an alloy produced in your country, as compared with copper-lead and babbitt. We are constantly learning new things every day with reference to bearing metals, and, especially, as to processes for their manufacture. We have made very great progress in improving the quality of our copper-lead bearings since you were here last and we shall undoubtedly continue to materially improve the quality and reduce the cost. One of our largest customers has recently completed dynamometer tests in which our latest copper-lead bearings very materially out-performed both babbitt and cadmium-nickel." Extract of communication from the Allison Engineering Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. Who produce Lead Bronze Bearings for the Automobile and Aircraft Industries in U.S.A. "We have your letter of November 1st. and regret that we cannot give you any definite information regarding compounded oils. A number of oil companies in this country are now carrying on extensive research programs in an effort to find out definitely what effect compounded oil has on high lead bronze bearings. In all tests that I have obtained reports on to date, there have always been instances where compounded oil has run satisfactory with high lead bronze bearings. It is the opinion of General Motors Research staff that the attack of the lead by the fatty acids or compounded lubricating oils continued. | ||