JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 32
prepreg
Prepreg in wind energy:
removing the barriers
By
As the design of large multi-megawatt wind turbines
progresses, wind turbine blade designers are investigating the
benefits of new prepreg materials. Gurit’s recently launched SparPregTM featuring AirstreamTM technology is a true game changer
and a convincing argument for blade builders to look again at their
designs and production processes in a holistic manner. This article
explores some of the technical and commercial challenges facing
wind turbine generator designers in the pursuit of longer blades and
evaluates the material solutions available to them.
Kevin Cadd
Technical Programme Manager
Gurit
G
urit has been supplying materials
to the wind energy market for the
manufacture of composite blades
since 1995, and has been actively involved
in the development of specialised blade
materials required as blade designs have
increased rapidly in size and complexity.
In recent years, the tendency among large
turbine manufacturers has been to supply
longer blades for existing turbine designs
to suit light wind sites, or to install offshore
turbines that are multi-megawatt machines
requiring larger blades able to withstand
higher loading.
The main load bearing structure of a wind
turbine blade is the spar component, which
is either integrated into a structural shell as a
spar cap, or constructed in parallel production to the shell as a separate spar structure
complete with shear webs.
What is common to both approaches is
the utilisation of unidirectional fibre (UD),
glass or carbon, to provide the required
bending strength and stiffness. The fibre has
to withstand compression loads, particularly
in longer carbon blades. As a consequence,
the fibres need to be kept straight and be
consistently supported by the surrounding
resin to prevent buckling.
Collimated fibre formats, such as prepreg,
Fig. 2: Carbon rovings used in SparPreg
manufacture
provide a good starting point to maximise
the performance of the fibres, but there
are additional challenges to maintain the
fibre straightness, prevent voiding during
the application and cure, and maintain the
lowest cost of use.
Prepreg barriers
Fig.1 : Structural shell and structural blade designs
32 jec composites magazine / No78 January - February 2013
There are many variables in the complex
equation of how to reduce the cost of a
turbine blade. Gurit has recently launched a
prepreg product which significantly changes
the calculations. Prepregs have had a
reputation of being an aerospace technology
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013
Cover
Edito
Point of view: bespoke solutions
Contents
Agenda of Events
COMPANY & BUSINESS In Brief
- Glass fibre
APPLICATIONS
- Bridge
- Music instrument
MARKET Overview 2012
FEATURE WIND ENERGY
- Market
- Resin
- Structure
- Prepreg
- Natural fibre
- China
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
- Repair
- Bonding
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATIONS
- RTM
- Laminate
- Aerospace
Index
In the world
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - Cover
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 2
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - Edito
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - Point of view: bespoke solutions
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 5
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - Contents
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 7
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - Agenda of Events
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - COMPANY & BUSINESS In Brief
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 10
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Glass fibre
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 12
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Bridge
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 14
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Music instrument
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - MARKET Overview 2012
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 17
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 18
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 19
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 20
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 21
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 22
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 23
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 24
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Market
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 26
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Resin
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 28
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 29
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Structure
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 31
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Prepreg
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 33
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Natural fibre
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 35
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 36
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 37
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - China
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 39
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 40
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Repair
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 42
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 43
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Bonding
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 45
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 46
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - RTM
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 48
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 49
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Laminate
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 51
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 52
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - - Aerospace
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 54
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 55
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 56
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - Index
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - In the world
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 59
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #78 - January/February 2013 - 60
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