Manufacturing and Flexural Characterization of Infusion-Reacted Thermoplastic Wind Turbine Blade Subcomponents

• Published in: Applied composite materials Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 945 - 961
• Main Authors: Murray, Robynne E., Penumadu, Dayakar, Cousins, Dylan, Beach, Ryan, Snowberg, David, Berry, Derek, Suzuki, Yasuhito, Stebner, Aaron
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-06-2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acrylic resins; advanced manufacturing; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Elastic properties; elasticity; End of life; ENGINEERING; Exothermic reactions; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; mechanical testing; Polymer Sciences; Production costs; Resin transfer molding; thermoplastic resin; Thermoplastic resins; Thermosetting resins; Turbine blades; Turbines; vacuum infusion; WIND ENERGY; Wind turbines; Elasticity; Mechanical testing; Vacuum infusion; Thermoplastic resin
• ISSN: 0929-189X; 1573-4897
• DOI: 10.1007/s10443-019-9760-2

Reactive thermoplastics are advantageous for wind turbine blades because they are recyclable at end of life, have reduced manufacturing costs, and enable thermal joining and shaping. However, there are challenges with manufacturing wind components from these new materials. This work outlines the development of manufacturing processes for a thick glass fiber–reinforced acrylic thermoplastic resin wind turbine blade spar cap, with consideration given to effects of the exothermic curing reaction on thick composite parts. Comparative elastic properties of these infusible thermoplastic materials with epoxy thermoset materials, as well as thermoplastic coupon components, are also included. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the thermoplastic resin system is a viable candidate for the manufacturing of wind turbine blades using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. Significant gains in energy savings are realized avoiding heated molds, ability for recycling, and providing an opportunity for utilizing thermal welding.