Alu prop's life

[salar600]

Let say the prop hasn't been damage in any way.

But is used under load so there is stress, flex or I don't know what. O/B of 70hp and up.

Does it have a limited life time of 5-10-15 years

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alu prop's life

Does it have a limited life time of 5-10-15 years

Nope...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Alu prop's life

Normal use and reasonable care it should last indefinately.I have 2 props about 20 years old with mild abuse that after about a $40 reburbish will be back in service this summer.I have 3 others that are up to 40 years old with sporatic use still in service with no need for repair.In severe service lots of abrasives in the water perhaps a lot of soft contact and in brackish water prop life can be shortened.
With regular maintenance,proper care I would think even these could have extended use.

 

[salar600]

Re: Alu prop's life

With regular maintenance,proper care I would think even these could have extended use.

Good to know.

When you talk about maintenance and care do you think of anything special?

If mine is loosing some paint, can I live it this way or should I paint it?

Thanks, Mart

 

[steelespike]

Re: Alu prop's life

Just off the top of my head and annual coat of aluminum compatable paint
should extend life some.Maybe just touch up the leading edge with paint. Also a little grease on the prop shaft and be sure the cotter pins locking tabs etc are in good shape.Sad to say none of that has been done regularly by me, my bad.
It is surprising how many post "my prop fell off I don't know what size"Maybe thats another theing to keep track of; write down the size some where. Some times a prop takes a walk too.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Alu prop's life

All metals do fatigue from being flexed, but props don't flex much. I have heard of at least one case of a blade snapping off without anything other than water making contact and I did myself see one aluminum prop with a very serious crack, right at the hub. However you never know the history in those cases. The best thing you can do to avoid that kind of thing(and other bad stuff) is to remove your prop periodically and give it a good inspection and maybe even have it checked at a prop shop(off season) and make sure it is installed properly. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of those old aluminum props still in use, don't have the same amount of pitch they started with.

 

[salar600]

Re: Alu prop's life

It is surprising how many post "my prop fell off I don't know what size"Maybe thats another theing to keep track of; write down the size some where. Some times a prop takes a walk too.

:redface::redface: That's funy, perhaps I haven't been there yet Ha Ha Ha

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Alu prop's life

Now that's not funny if ones brother in law manages to lose a newly rebuilt "bronze" prop because he didn't think the cotter pin was necessary! From that day I've never trusted anyone to do even the simplest job for me. From that day on my stuff does not leave my control.

 

[Falco]

Re: Alu prop's life

Now that's not funny if ones brother in law manages to lose a newly rebuilt "bronze" prop because he didn't think the cotter pin was necessary! From that day I've never trusted anyone to do even the simplest job for me. From that day on my stuff does not leave my control.

Yup, I only trust one other person to work on my machines, and I still catch a few errors here and there.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Alu prop's life

Yeah, I prefer people to not even "help" me anymore, they can just watch, in the long run its a lot less work for me.

 

[cwilt]

Re: Alu prop's life

and alot cheaper...................