is there any significant performance difference between steel or aluminum metals and/or finishes for use as blower pulleys?

 

Aluminum is lighter but unless Hard Anodized would wear I would imagine. If anyone wants to experiment I can Hard Anodize your pulley for you ( you pay ship both ways).
Hard anodize would be as wear resistant as a diamond and the surface profile would increase making for better grip to the belt. If anything it might cause belt wear.

More than one customer sends us underdrive pullies.

 

I have 3 pulleys I'd like to try out getting hard coated

 

use some 7075 t6 alum, better than 6061 t6, the hard coat is a good idea too
they do clear hard coat too.

 

Harder, as in Rockwell but not necessisarily better. 6061 is a no brainer. 7075 requires more skill to anodize due to the zinc content and entrapped hydrogen
We do a lot of both.

 

As long as the Alum. doesnt expand enough to limit the belts ability to ride in the grooves properly. Now I am not speaking for alum that is hard anodized but standard alum that is not will wear to the point that the pulley will develop a razor sharp edge.

 

it won't, they cannot get that hot from spinning. Hardcoat will prevent wearing to the point that your thinking could happen, Just using 7075 should cure that issue.

 

I'm gonna be in San Diego on Oct 3rd for a Customer meeting BTW.

 

Tuesday, cool, I should be around, is it an all day affair?

 

I dont have the schedule yrt but I'll be flyting in Mon. evening with no plans. Tues is pretty much full touring the facility and eating!
This customer(my personal pet) makes unmanned aircraft...I better not say more