Propeller Nut Material

[bluemongoose]

Hello all,
This may appear to be a strange question, but I will ask it anyway!
Is there a preferred material for propeller nuts?
Or put another way, as I am putting a new propeller on, is their any reason why I should'nt replace my old and worn Phosphor Bronze nut, with a new A4 Stainless Steel nut or even a plain old brass nut?

Many thanks in advance,

BM

[RichH]

With a stainless steel shaft, a STAINLESS STEEL nut will have the possibility of GALLING or 'point-to-point-contact' welding and you may NEVER ever get the SS nut off.
Phosphor bronze or other bronze will better resist this.

Brass, being an alloy of copper and ZINC will be subject to the ZINC components of the alloy being attacked as an ANODE if ever your 'normal' zinc anodes ever fail. If the zinc component of the brass ever becomes the 'anode' the result will be that it will disappear from the alloy, leaving only a 'copper sponge'

Bronze is the answer - A 'true' bronze, not a 'red bronze' with lots of zinc added for 'machinability'.

[Omatako]

I support what RichH said. Galling on prop nuts is a real problem. I have had to cut a SS nut off and was unable to do it without substantial damage to the shaft. I had to sacrifice the shaft to save the prop.

Don't use an SS nut.

[bluemongoose]

Thanks for the advice guys. Bronze it shall be!!
BM