Abstract

The feasibility of substituting a composite mold for an aluminum mold in the fabrication of a small ship propeller was investigated. A small three-blade aluminum propeller was used as a plug for manufacturing the composite mold. A GRPG composite mold and propeller were made from an unsaturated polyester resin, Epovia gelcoat, and woven and mat glass fibers using the compression and vacuum method at room temperature. The hardness and surface roughness and the strength and deformation of the compression and suction molds were experimentally determined. The results were compared with the ISO 484/2 standard and some aluminum alloy materials. The results showed that the deformation of the mold satisfied the tolerance of the thickness of the blade. Some characteristics of the GRPG composite mold were better than those of the aluminum alloy mold (surface smoothness, weight, performance, and cost), and some characteristics were similar (detachment ability and life-cycle). Therefore, the composite mold is considered suitable for the fabrication of a small composite ship propeller.

Keywords

GRPG;Small Propeller;Mold

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Acknowledgement

Supported by : 한국연구재단

References

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