The E-PROPS are very strong and quiet propellers, and they have a very good efficiency. They also are the world's lightest propellers.
The E-PROPS SCIMITAR for paramotors, 2-blades, diameter 125 cm, usually weight less than 500 gr
Why the E-PROPS are the lightest propellers ?
1 - Because of their design
The E-PROPS team has always worked to propose very light products, because in aviation, mass is the bigger enemy.
From the beginning of the propeller design to the final finish, including all manufacturing process, every step has been thought to save weight.
2 - Because of their materials
The E-PROPS are made in carbon braid, with continue fibers between upper and lower surfaces of the blade (very high resistance).
The carbon presents by far the best compromise rigidity / weight. In the composite material used by E-PROPS, the carbon is the reinforcement and the epoxy resin the matrix.
The epoxy resin is the resin preferred in aeronautics because it has very good mechanical and thermal properties, a small shrinkage in the molding, a big resistance to fatigue, a good dimensional stability and a chemical good performance, as well as an excellent adhesion on fibers.
The E-PROPS are made with only carbon braid and epoxy resin : no fiberglass, no metallic parts, no mixture of materials.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication !
3 - Because of their manufacturing process
The E-PROPS parts are injected with the RTM process (Resin Transfer Molding), which allows to save epoxy resin, while staying very strong.
This process is used by some companies as AIRBUS or BOEING, in order to reduce the weight of structural parts, while keeping a high strength.
It requires large investments, but then it is very productive and allows to have a big production capacity.
4 - Because of their finish
E-PROPS propellers are polished : it is the lightest solution and the blades are shining during their all life.
They do not have a heavy gel coat layer or paint coat, as many competitors props, which shines when they are new, but which ages very quickly.
A gel-coat layer can add more than 150 gr on 125 cm diameter propeller.
E-PROPS has chosen to produce propellers with the smallest possible impact on the environment : no varnish, no paint, no gel-coat.
The E-PROPS propellers are just beautiful with their apparent carbon finish.
It is essential to design and realize the aeronautical equipments as light as possible, not for communication and regulation reasons, but only to respect the laws of physics.
The materials and the innovative manufacturing process finalized by E-PROPS allow to obtain shiny, very solid and extremely light parts !
Advantages of a light propeller
* Low moment of inertia = very reactive propeller =>
- allows to pilot directly, without strength, without gap between pressing the accelerator and the increase of RPM. [1]
- much more fast, that is fewer risks of break in case of shock in the propeller (less stored kinetic energy, thus fewer damages in case of impact).
- guarantee for long life for the engine. A heavy propeller can quickly damage the engine. [2]
* Better functioning of the engine =>
- better performances of the engine on the whole RPM range
- better linearity of the engine RPM
- less constraints on the reducer
- less vibrations due of the propeller
* Comfort increased for the pilot =>
- less mass propeller on the back
- fewer gyroscopic efforts
- less couple
- less vibrations
Notes :
[1] : That's why the E-PROPS are very appreciated, as well by the competitors who want a responsive propeller, as by beginners, who have not to adapt themselves to anticipate an important propeller inertia.
[2] : The use of a propeller which has an important moment of inertia leads to decrease the engine longevity. That's why the engines manufacturers gives a max value of moment of inertia
Please note : a propeller cannot be too light or cannot have a too small moment of inertia. Even a very light propeller generates a sufficient flywheel.