Delete comment from: Dark Roasted Blend
Avi & Simon, you refer to some props as 'steel' or 'brass'. I think you'll find that in general they all are made of bronze, as this material posesses some very desireable qualities.
I admit that the props on the Jap sub and 'Great Britain' may have been from other materials.
Neil C: The ridging is a result of the machining process. The ridges look worse than they are: when you run a hand over one of these props, the ridges can hardly be felt. They are mainly due to differences in reflection, as a function of the rotating tool head.
Anti-cavitation properties and efficiency are generally achieved by the shape and profile of the blades and hub.
However, Anti-cavitation is an area, where science and black magic to some degree overlap. I woulden't be the slightest suprised to find out that ridges or surface patterns can reduce cavitation. Think shark skin.
Dec 2, 2011, 5:08:14 PM
Posted to The World's Largest Ship Propellers