Propeller Terminology

Basic Propeller Terminology   Pitch - The linear distance that a propeller would travel in one revolution without slippage. Quality Castings offers both square pitch (pitch = diameter) and super pitch (pitch = 1.5 X diameter) MP series propellers.   Rotation - A propeller can be either left- or right-hand rotation, both of which can be operated in clockwise or counter clockwise directions. The hand of the propeller and direction of rotation will define the direction of the fluid, which is being moved by the propeller (see illustration right.)

Click illustration below to enlarge.

Pitch Face - The pitch face is the flatter of the two blade surfaces (see diagram above.) Always mount propeller with pitch face in the same direction as the moving liquid.   Rake - The fore or aft slant of a blade with respect to a line perpendicular to the propeller axis of rotation.   Skew - The transverse sweeping of a blade such that viewing  the blades from fore or aft shows an asymetrical shape.   Cup - Small radius of curvature located on the trailing edge of the blade.   Back to Propellers Page