What is a common material used for constructing aircraft propellers?

Carbon fiber is commonly used for constructing aircraft propellers due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility in design. It offers high stiffness while being significantly lighter than traditional materials such as aluminum or steel. This makes carbon fiber advantageous in enhancing the efficiency and performance of propellers. Moreover, carbon fiber propellers are resistant to corrosion and environmental damage, which contributes to their longevity and reduces maintenance needs.

While steel and aluminum are also used in aviation, they do not offer the same combination of lightweight characteristics and strength as carbon fiber. Wood, traditionally used in older propeller designs, is now less common in modern aircraft due to its limitations in durability and structural performance compared to advanced composite materials like carbon fiber. Thus, carbon fiber has become a favored choice in contemporary propeller construction.