Monday, December 17, 2007

National Renewable Energy Laboratory study

The following statistics represent failures of wind turbine prototypes.


National Renewable Energy Laboratory study;

45 failures of prototypes;

20% lightning related;

16% foreign object impact;

13% tip deflection/tower contact;

20% adhesive bond failure;

18% voids in skin core;

13% improper cure of materials.

Above is an excerpt from North American Windpower, May 2006, p24.

It’s clear there are still major processing issues in composite wind turbine manufacturing. The Polybeam703 and HiFlux90 can help provide answers to those issues.

Polybeam703 is a three dimensional reinforcement which also acts as a resin flow channel. The z axis fiber increases overall laminate shear strength and provides uniform resin flow. The smooth surface profile of the x and y axis fibers provide excellent bond strength.


Key Benefits Include:

Reduces waste associated with other infusion techniques;

Improves infusion rates and uniformity;

Improves damage tolerance, core interface bond, and shear properties;

Highly conformable with an excellent surface profile;

HiFlux90 is a bilateral infusion flow reinforcement designed to maximize permeability and minimize set up time. From woven roving and chopped strand mat to high yield carbon the HiFlux90 provides uniform laminate wet out and superior infusion speed.


Key Benefits Include:

Enhanced mechanical properties;

Improve infusion rates and uniformity;

Reduce waste associated with other infusion techniques;

Highly conformable;