Weld repair of bronze propeller

admin

HelloI am  an American working in the Philippines on a yacht restoration project.One of the 2 Bronze propellers which was made years ago in the USA has one blade broken ( about the outer 20%of the diameter is gone)...I dont have the prop at hand to measure but it is 4 blade approx 30 inches overall diameterI want to first determine the alloy of bronze and buy matching raw material for the repair.....( bronze plate )Then get the proper welding rods etc and work the plate into the proper shape then weld  I have craftsmen  and shops at hand to do the job....but they are unable to determine the correct materials to useAnyone please share you knowledge and give some recommendations, pleaseThanksRussell8158
Reply:This guy is good.  Has his own YouTube channel and is making a steel ship on his front lawn....Bronze boat propeller repair....Bronze boat propeller balancing.....Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Your best bet might be to find someone with a mass spectrometer.  Nowadays many foundries have a commercial version so that they can confirm alloys... or if you know someone at a local university.  They can give you the exact ratio of elements.  All they need are a few little cuttings from a drill bit.   There are also handheld units that use a particle beam of some sort.  You just put the gun up against the alloy and identifies it.  I know that larger scrap yards have them for separating various stainless alloys.
Reply:Russell, look up Eutectic EutecTrode 1851 and see if this rod will fit your requirements, might be just the ticket.   Best regards  BobLast edited by rhunt; 08-12-2014 at 05:06 PM.
Reply:You need to talk with Keith Fenner.  Keith owns an accomplished old school job shop specializing in marine repairs.  Keith will be able to give you some solid advice on your repair.  He is very active on you tube.  His videos showcase his skills.Turn Wright Machine Works 791 Main StreetWest Dennis, Ma. 02670Email:  [email protected]: 508-394-0724
Reply:this could be a good job for tig brazing with silicon bronze. exact match of alloys may not be necessary.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderthis could be a good job for tig brazing with silicon bronze. exact match of alloys may not be necessary.
Reply:Propellers are usually a nickel aluminum bronze alloy.  You will often see it called NiBrAl.  High strength propellers are often NiBrAlFe which also has an iron addition.  Repairs are done with AC TIG welding.Last edited by 76GMC1500; 08-14-2014 at 09:50 AM.
Reply:Have you looked the propeller over good for any markings that might indicate who manufactured it?   Might be worth putting some research into who made it so you could contact them for finding out the alloy and any possible weld procedures for making repairs to it they might have.
Reply:I hope you've got a BIIIIIIIIIG welding power source. Bronze wicks away heat way even faster than aluminum.
Reply:Some alloys do. Silicon bronze and aluminum bronze have about the same conductivity as steel.A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps