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Aluminum propellers are lightweight and affordable, making them suitable for aircraft and ships. They reduce weight and increase speed, but are prone to splintering and bending. Maintenance is required due to corrosion and sinking debris. Stainless steel propellers are faster at top speeds but are more expensive.
Aluminum propellers are lightweight and relatively inexpensive. This makes them good candidates for installation on both aircraft and ships. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to installing aluminum propellers that should be thoroughly examined before committing to a purchase. The reduction in weight over steel and wood allows the engine to rev much faster when using aluminum propellers. However, the soft composition of aluminum propellers can make them prone to splintering and bending.
Fitting a lighter propeller on an aircraft may seem insignificant at first glance. However, after examining the benefits of aluminum propellers, it might seem like a pretty wise investment of time and money. By installing aluminum propellers on aircraft, they can pick up speed much faster due to reduced rotating mass compared to a wooden propeller. This equates to shorter takeoffs and higher climb rates.
On a ship, the same principles apply to the light propeller. By having less weight to turn, the boat can accelerate much faster. This allows the boat to get on the plane a much shorter distance, as well as increasing the speed of the boat measured over a short distance. In the event of accidental contact with a submerged rock or object, the soft alloy will often bend rather than break. This allows the propeller to be easily returned to its original shape and pitch by an experienced propeller repair shop.
There are also drawbacks to using aluminum propellers. On aircraft, the aluminum propeller is prone to slightly sinking sand and debris. The soft alloy is also prone to corrosion. All of this means that additional maintenance will be required compared to using a wood or composite propeller. Expense is usually a big concern for most buyers, and aluminum propellers are more expensive than their wood and composite counterparts.
When comparing boat propellers, aluminum is inferior to stainless steel when top speed is an issue. The aluminum propellers are thicker than the stainless steel versions and do not have as much cup design on the blades. Thinner stainless steel propellers are usually faster at top speeds and are often better balanced. Soft aluminum is better for low speed hits, but it usually breaks beyond repair when you hit an object at high speed. This can often lead to excessive engine revving and consequential engine damage as well.
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