Departments - Design Diagram
Materials used to produce turbine blades
3/15/2010
Global value of wind turbine blades is projected to reach $34 billion by 2017, according to Composites Market Reports.
Global value of wind turbine blades is projected to reach $34 billion by 2017, according to Composites Market Reports (CMR). Superior fatigue characteristics and stiffness-to-weight ratio together with the ability to fabricate complex geometries makes composites a dominate force for production of wind turbine blades – which represent 15% and 20% of the total component cost of a wind turbine.
Fiber-reinforced epoxy or unsaturated polyester represents the largest use of material in the production of wind turbine blades. Epoxy, polyester, and vinyl ester were all used early on in wind turbine blade production, but epoxy has become the preferred material, offering stronger mechanical performance as wind turbine blades continue to grow in length. E-glass is most widely used as a reinforcement material, however, carbon fiber is growing in use because of its ability to offer greater stiffness and a reduction in weight.
One must note, however, that there are manufacturers of wind turbine blades which exceed 40m lengths – the length where use of carbon fibers is the typical protocol – that continue to utilize E-glass and successfully achieve the stiffness and light weight demands.
Material Development
New materials that can achieve weight, stiffness, and durability requirements, raise overall productivity, cut costs, and reduce cycle times are a constant topic for R&D. Huntsman Advanced Materials is conducting research for development of epoxies that provide improved crack and aging resistance for the ever-increasing lengths of wind turbine blades.
Dow Epoxy Systems offers new epoxy infusion materials that offer extended pot life, faster curing, and improved cycle time.
Another company, Hexion, is working to develop products that improve mechanics, reduce weight, and increase production output.
In the polyester and vinyl ester area, Ashland Composite Polymers provides a vinyl ester is designed to offer properties better than polyester – closing in on the strength and durability of an epoxy while offering the shorter cure time for which vinyl ester is known.
Reichhold Inc. is producing a Dion vinyl ester grade that delivers increased fatigue resistance and overall toughness.
With the developments in epoxies, polyester, and vinyl ester, glass suppliers are answering the challenge of these carbon-fiber competitors by delivering products, such as PPG Industries’ higher-performing glass products, which deliver increased fatigue resistance together with research into stiffer reinforcement materials as well.
OCV Reinforcements and Ahlstrom Corp are both continuing to up their portfolio of products, releasing new knitted fabrics based on a proprietary glass as well as special E-glass fabric with a PET flow layer for faster and simpler resin infusion.
A Glance at Suppliers:
3Tex Inc.
Ahlstrom Corp.
AOC LLC
Ashland Inc.
Composites One LLC
Dow Epoxy Systems
Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.
Huntsman Advanced Materials
OCV Reinforcements
Polynova Composites
PPG Industries
Reichhold Inc.
Saertex USA LLC
Zoltek Corp.