engineering project

[longdude17]

Evening all!<br /> <br /><br /> I have a very big favor to ask all of you who is willing to help me. I have been using this site for a while and yall seem pretty helpful with my boating problems. heres the thing. I am in the Louisiana State University engineering program and I have to give a presentation on propellers. <br /><br />I have to choose three different propeller materials in which to describe. I have choosen stainless steel, aluminum, and composite materials(I cant find what compprops are made of.) anyway I need help finding info on propellers. <br /><br />I need the advantages and disadvantages of each one. I need the fabrication or manufacturing process that includes post production heat treatments, coating, annealing processes etc. I need info on the service life on these types of props. the cost to manufacture each of them,their retail costs, the testing techniques of each, the strengths of each, how much they flex under pressure. how they test how much they flex under pressure.etc., safety issues, anything that has to do with these types of propellers. In this assignment I have to contrast them against each other and I have to prove why one is the best choice above all the rest. I dont have a problem writing the presentation the problem is getting info. the props I want to contrast should be the same size pitch and blade number. all three should be the same just made of different materials.<br /><br /> I know this is alot but I need help and yall are the only experts that I can count on. <br />Any info would be GREATLY appreciated. I have done alot of research already but its not complete. I was thinking of contrasting stilleto props with michigan wheel props with compprops. I have a couple weeks to get this done, and if it works out right I might get to build a prop as a senior project. thanks for yall help

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: engineering project

well STAINLESS wil last the longest, flex less than all others and be more expensive . but they are not prone to pitting, decay, rust, or corrosion. about the only drawback they have is that they are the strongest and tightest material wich gives them more of a chance to snap when they strike an object underwater, rock, ledge, stump, whatever... this may seem strange, but it is possible. they are also the most expensive to repair...<br /><br />aluminum is the most common as new stock and on smaller motors. they are about 1 / 3 the price of stainless and are also anti rust, although aluminum will corrode if not rinsed properly after each use of salt water. they are lighter and flex more than stainless. and beacuse of the cheepness factor, you usually see them on stock motors and factory setups and on most small motors... since the are aluminum they are not the best prop for skiing, as you need a quick hole shot and the aluminum fins will actually bend under the stress of high revs vs. not going anywhere , for a breif moment. and since they do bend, ever so slightly at least.. they dont brake off as easily, but when they do, they are easy and cheap to repair...<br /><br />composites... well heres what i know... they are even cheaper. they flex a lot and are not suitable for high stress aplications or high power, high revving applications, and they break the easiest. thats why they sell replacment blades for them. they are more suited for the budget minded family that would like to simply put- put around the lake at very modest speeds with modestly powered rigs..... i have never used one of these though.... but this is my 2 cents..<br /><br />ps why didnt you choose brass as the 3rd material?<br /><br />mikey

 

[Solittle]

Re: engineering project

Composits are seldom seen on larger motors. If you want to compare the three you need to choose a relatively small motor. I am no prop man but I don't think I have seen any on V4s or V6s.<br /><br />Stainless props are usually confined to the V4s or V6s and seldom seen on the smaller motors.<br /><br />You probably don't have time to get into it but there are a couple of props that have the capability to change pitch while underway.<br /><br />Try using the red Search at the top of the page.

 

[roscoe]

Re: engineering project

For the detailed inside info you seek, you might want to contact the manufacturers and request some of their indepth, yet declassified testing info. I don't know of anywhere else you might get this info.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: engineering project

i agree. i don't think this is where you want to get your info. maybe to get a general idea of props, but not for the hard cold facts. while most of the info offered by members is probably true, you should go right to the manufacturers. you can also find a great deal of info on prop theory here on the internet. but look for scientific papers, not chat boards.<br /><br />my only bit of worthy advice- check out the last 4 or 5 issues of boating magazine. i recently read a great article about how props are actually made. the author spent a few days with a manufacturer and actually built his own prop. great source of info.<br /><br />good luck-

 

[david.d.nguyen@honeywell]

Re: engineering project

Longdude - It's hard for me to believe that with all the technological information at our finger tips that you can't find all the information you need for your presentation... Use the campus technical library, look through boating journals, do a patent search on props. If the prop is patented (which is likely the case) you should have mfg. information, performance information (you are looking for), etc...

 

[david.d.nguyen@honeywell]

Re: engineering project

I also agree with Mattt25. Longdude - If you are asked how you got your information... are you going to say "through iBoat chat board"?<br /><br />research, research and more research...

 

[Dhadley]

Re: engineering project

e-mail me at dhadley50@aol.com and use "prop engineering" as the subject. I have a connection for you.

 

[longdude17]

Re: engineering project

thanks for all the info yall. it was helpful. I wasnt only looking for the hard cold facts I was also looking for opinions, buyers preferences, anything that would help point me in the right direction. I have used the electronic reserves here at school and it gives a lot of information but not the kind that I really need. I dont really need the history lesson that I get from the reserves, i need the info that shows what will happen to props as they are used, how long they last, corrosion, etc. I just figured that a bunch of heads were better than one. as for telling them that I got info from iboats, you better beleive that I surely will, I dont see a problem with it. If its a reference then im suppose to list it. I was suppose to get consumers ideas and opinions and I think I got them. I am not looking to find ALL my info here i just need some help finding more info on the topics listed. The internet is a huge place I probably missed some sort of info. I have tried contacting a couple of companys but only one has written back and they said that they cant provide the info I need on cost to manufacter, machining etc, for fear of being sued. I just though that someone here knew someone that could give me a hand getting the nitty gritty. thanks for all the info though. Its been a huge help.