Why no plastic blades??
 

With the advent of today's high tech polymers- why hasn't a manufacturer designed a set of plastic rotor blades? They could be made light enough for our uses for sure (perhaps foam filled) and best of all inexpensive and shaped in different profiles....so why hasn't anyone made a ton of money with plastic blades?

It would seem they could made in any shape, size and configuration for less cost than a set of wood blades......and probably more crashworthy as well.

..just wondering.

Why no plastic blades??
 

Stevenyc

Very good question - is it not because polymer/plastic blades will be TOO STRONG ?? :stupid:

The reason I say that is that if graphite/wooden blades hit something (including a human) they should break, thereby acting as a "sacrificial component" and thereby saving (hopefully) the main mast, clutch, engine etc ... and possibly saving someone's life??

I noted that here at our flying club in London, metal rotor blades are prohibited - can you imagine what damage they could do?? I'm sure polymer/plastic blades spinning at 1600rpm are as lethal as metal.

I know normal blades are potentially lethal as well, but maybe the polymer/plastic blades are ven more dangerous??

Just a thought .... ;)

Why no plastic blades??
 

I will have to agree with Rawlie on that, I used to fly fixed wing. One day I had the bright idea of reaching through the prop to do an ajustment, and that didn't turn out to be too pleasent as I I was running a nylon prop. Just on my thumb alone I had to have 17 stitches not including the butterfly stitches to hold the whole mess together. never ran another nylon prop again. I know what your thinking KEET YOUR STUFF OUT OF THE PROP, but you know what **** HAPPENS!!!!LOL

Why no plastic blades??
 

Also,carbon fiber and glass cloth are thin, light and very stiff once the resin cures. Those properties do not exist in plastic.

Why no plastic blades??
 

I had a LMH Corona for a short while.

The blades are exactly as you talked about...plastic, bendable, etc. Everyone else has good points on why they are not in widespread use, but they are out there!

Why no plastic blades??
 

I don't think an LMH qualifies. Lets talk about conventional rotorheads only, please.

Why no plastic blades??
 

My fault...didn't see anything about qualifications concerning conventional rotor heads or otherwise.

Why no plastic blades??
 

It is in my strong opinion that anything that swings a blade qualifies........