Metal polymer composite for making balancing weights for propellers and method of making and using the same
AssigneeTundra Composites, LLC
InventorsScott Bohnen, Kurt Heikkila
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The embodiment relates to a balanced propeller and to an extrudable metal polymer composite and process for making and using the composite to make balancing weight strips for marine or boat propellers. Metal particulate of adequate particle size is mixed with a polymer that is extruded or injection molded to form a high-density weighted strip.
Claims10
1-20. (canceled)
A boat propeller comprising a hub, having propeller blades, a path for exhaust, and a spline that can be attached to a drive shaft spline, wherein a composite balance weight is adhesively attached to the interior of the hub, the composite comprising:
- (a) a thermoplastic polymer phase comprising about 5 to 25 wt. % and 25 to 75 vol. % of the composite;
- and
- (b) a metal particulate comprising about 75 to 95 wt. % and 25 to 75 vol. % of the composite and intermixed with the polymer phase, the particulate having a particle size where no more than 10 wt. % of the particles are under 10 microns;
- wherein the particulate and polymer phase are formed into the balance weight
The composite of claim 26, wherein the composite has a coating of an interfacial modifier on a surface of the metal particulate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.