Dezincification of prop

Saltram31

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At what level of dezincification on a bronze prop will decrease performance? The prop has no pitting damage or loss of metal yet but is about 50% pink.
 
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When bits start falling off it ! First you get areas of pink but then it becomes brittle and you can snap chunks off with your fingers...
The prop in the pic has also lost 1.5" of its diameter...
 

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When bits start falling off it ! First you get areas of pink but then it becomes brittle and you can snap chunks off with your fingers...
The prop in the pic has also lost 1.5" of its diameter...
Thanks. Asking out of interest as the boat is being lifted our next week for annual maintenance and I know the prop will need replacing but am wondering if the blades can deform slightly when motoring as I am unable to achieve max revs under load lately. I have checked it with an inspection camera and it seems to be all there.
 
Mine never deformed, just shrunk with 40hp turning it. 15" prop.
Mine was measured for a replacement so if it deformed it would have shown up.
Check fuel filters and exhaust for blockages ?
 
Dezincification of brass (not bronze, which contains no significant zinc) occurs from the surface, penetrating inwards. You may well find that the pinkness is a very thin layer that will abrade off. Replacement of the prop is not needed until chunks of predominantly spongy copper are falling off.
Painting the prop is a very effective way of delaying dezincification.
 
Thanks. Asking out of interest as the boat is being lifted our next week for annual maintenance and I know the prop will need replacing but am wondering if the blades can deform slightly when motoring as I am unable to achieve max revs under load lately. I have checked it with an inspection camera and it seems to be all there.
Clean?
 
Unlikely that the prop has changed dimensions (pitch) or diameter sufficient to affect performance. As suggested the pink is probably only on the surface. If the blades ring when tapped with a hammer it is not dezincified
 
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