Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton
I think titanium would be perfect for a piston driven aircraft propeller. It would flex quite a bit less than the aluminum, but that could be designed into the pitch. The weight is comparable to aluminum, so the gyroscopic issues are minimized. It's much stronger than aluminum so that it can take significantly more power and the crankshft power impulses wouldn't bother it.
I don't see any detriment to titanium for a piston driven propeller other than cost and the fact that it's more than you need to get the job done.
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I have to fly this evening, so no time to get deep into this.
Maybe Shelby will later, as she has a rather boring HD tonight.
You are for the most part correct, if you’re talking about an application such as a large transport aircraft where power is run-up and set with only minor adjustments throughout the flight. But for an application such as an aerobatic aircraft, many of the reasons you feel titanium would be the right material, are actually why it would be wrong. As for all the aircraft in between… well, there is certainly the issue of cost involved. But there are also many factors involved where having the ultimate in rigidity, light weight and strength is a bad thing.
Don’t stay focused only on the issues related to how the motor will affect the propeller, but focus also on how the propeller and its properties affect the motor. Also – How the flight of the aircraft can affect the propeller, and how that in turn affects the motor.