Novel Engineered Materials: Epoxy Resin Nanocomposite Reinforced with Modified Epoxidized Natural Rubber and Fibers for Low-Speed Wind Turbine Blades

The objective of this study was to investigate nanocomposite materials with good outdoor resistance for wind turbine blade application. The nanocomposites based on epoxy resin with 5% of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50), 3% of nanofiller, and glass fibers, were subjected to experiments. The weathering resistance of nanocomposites was evaluated from the change in mechanical properties caused by accelerated aging, induced by UVB radiation in a weathering chamber. The accelerated aging improved tensile strength by about 35% at 168 h of exposure to UVB, via a curing effect. The nanocomposites were optimized for all the parts of wind turbine blades (Savonius and Darrieus types) that are generally designed for high strength, low weight, weathering resistance, and low rotational speed (2 m/s). A tree wind turbine with nanocomposite blades produced 5 kW power output when tested. Based on the findings in this work, the innovative nanocomposites have potential in manufacturing wind turbines to generate electricity.

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Development of sustainable microwave-based approach to recover glass fibers for wind turbine blades composite waste

Resources Conservation and Recycling ◽

10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.106107 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 179 ◽

pp. 106107

Author(s):

Manjeet Rani ◽

Priyanka Choudhary ◽

Venkata Krishnan ◽

Sunny Zafar

Keyword(s):

Wind Turbine ◽

Glass Fibers ◽

Turbine Blades ◽

Wind Turbine Blades

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Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Wind Turbine Blades Production

Revista da Sociedade Portuguesa de Dermatologia e Venereologia ◽

10.29021/spdv.79.3.1351 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 217-220

Author(s):

Diogo Laertes Correia ◽

Jéssica Peres ◽

Joana Calvão ◽

Mariana Ferreira Bastos ◽

Ricardo Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Dermatitis ◽

Wind Turbine ◽

Epoxy Resin ◽

Allergic Contact Dermatitis ◽

Patch Test ◽

Turbine Blades ◽

Wind Turbine Blades ◽

Hand Dermatitis ◽

Allergic Contact ◽

Airborne Dermatitis

Introduction: Epoxy resins, widely used in several industrial sectors, are among the main causes of allergic contact dermatitis. The wind turbine production industry is one of the sectors that uses these products widely. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of contact allergy to epoxy resin and its components among wind turbine blades production workers with suspected contact dermatitis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the patch test results performed between 2012 and 2019 in wind turbine blades production workers with dermatitis and characterized their demographic and clinical data, patch test results and the occupational impact of allergic contact dermatitis on these workers. Results: Out of the 3049 patients patch tested in the period 2012-2019, we identified thirteen wind turbine blades production workers, predominantly male (69.2%). All of them handled glues, resins and/or paints in their daily work activities. Seven (53.8%) had a combination of hand dermatitis and airborne dermatitis, two (15.4%) had exclusively hand dermatitis and four (30.8%) had predominantly airborne dermatitis. All patients had positive patch test for epoxy resin and ten patients (76.9%) had also reaction for 1,6-hexanediol diglycidylether. Two patients (15.4%) also had a reaction to the already hardened resin powder. Four (30.8%) patients had to quit their jobs due to allergic contact dermatitis and three (23.1%) were transferred to another workstation without exposure to epoxy resin. Avoidance of exposure resulted in a significant improvement. Conclusion: With this study, we confirmed that epoxy resin and its components are the main cause of dermatitis among wind turbine blades production workers, that eczema occurs by direct contact and by airborne exposure.

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Anti-icing epoxy resin surface modified by spray coating of PTFE Teflon particles for wind turbine blades

Materials Today Communications ◽

10.1016/j.mtcomm.2019.100770 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. 100770 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chao (Chris) Qin ◽

Alan T. Mulroney ◽

Mool C. Gupta

Keyword(s):

Wind Turbine ◽

Epoxy Resin ◽

Turbine Blades ◽

Spray Coating ◽

Wind Turbine Blades ◽

Surface Modified

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Delamination at Thick Ply Drops in Carbon and Glass Fiber Laminates Under Fatigue Loading

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.2931496 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 130 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Daniel D. Samborsky ◽

Timothy J. Wilson ◽

Pancasatya Agastra ◽

John F. Mandell

Keyword(s):

Wind Turbine ◽

Glass Fiber ◽

Carbon Fibers ◽

Glass Fibers ◽

Turbine Blades ◽

Fatigue Loading ◽

Analytical Models ◽

Stress And Strain ◽

Wind Turbine Blades ◽

Static Loads

Delamination at ply drops in composites with thickness tapering has been a concern in applications of carbon fibers. This study explored the resistance to delamination under fatigue loading of carbon and glass fiber prepreg laminates with the same resin system, containing various ply drop geometries, and using thicker plies typical of wind turbine blades. Applied stress and strain levels to produce significant delamination at ply drops have been determined, and the experimental results correlated through finite element and analytical models. Carbon fiber laminates with ply drops, while performing adequately under static loads, delaminated in fatigue at low maximum strain levels except for the thinnest ply drops. The lower elastic modulus of the glass fiber laminates resulted in much higher strains to produce delamination for equivalent ply drop geometries. The results indicate that ply drops for carbon fibers should be much thinner than those commonly used for glass fibers in wind turbine blades.

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