Rubex Interchangeable Hub SOLAS Propellers
Many of the interchangeable hubs available today are constructed using hard, composite materials similar to plastic. Because there are two hard material surfaces facing each other, there is not a lot of give when they meet. The gap between those parts is very, very small but it can change depending on temperature of each material and manufacturing tolerances. The chattering or rattling typically occurs at an idle speed because there is not enough force holding the hard plastic-like material of the hub against the aluminum or stainless steel wall of the hub cavity in your propeller housing (the part with the blades) or in some designs against the bronze splined hub piece (also known as an adapter), therefore creating a rattle. The technical term for what’s happening is known as “fretting corrosion”.
The Rubex line of interchangeable hub propellers from Solas has been using a very simple and effective way of addressing this issue. The Rubex hubs have rubber vulcanized around the spline portion of the hub so it comes as one solid piece. The hubs slide easily into the prop and when the hardware and nut are tightened down on the prop shaft the hub will sit perfectly in the hub cavity of the prop. The rubber on the hub effectively handles the vibration and chatter, while providing protection to your gearcase in the same way a traditional rubber hub propeller does. This is not only a preventative protection from the long term effects a vibrating hub could have, but also protection from impact. The composite hubs available on the market also offer protection from impact, in that they are designed to break in an effort to save the more costly damage to the lower unit on your stern drive or outboard motor.
Rubex/Solas use their rubber nature to absorb the impact from the bottom or a submerged object. The patent design of the hub allows for about 10 degrees of deflection from the impact before the hub is stopped from spinning. This not only saves from costly damage to the lower unit, but also gives you a way to limp back into port with your dinged propeller.
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08 February 2012
