CBT resin targets wind turbine blades
4 Jul 2001
Cyclics Corporation is commercialising an innovative thermoplastic resin that could radically increase the manufacturing rates of large wind turbine structures, typically made of fiberglass-reinforced composites.
The low viscosity thermoplastic CBT resin flows easily and processes like thermoset resins. Increased production rates are possible as Cyclics' CBT resin can cure in well under one hour, even in thick sections, because CBT resin does not generate heat during curing and can be processed at constant temperature.
That removes the curing cycle as the bottleneck in rotor blade manufacturing enabling several blades per tool to be made each day. Once processed the blade can be assembled and finished using traditional techniques.
Another key benefit of CBT composite wind turbine structures is their environmental friendliness; in addition to being recyclable, they do not cause any VOC (out-gassing) during processing. The final mechanical part properties are comparable or superior to standard thermoset systems.
'Further testing and certification is underway and qualification is anticipated within in the next 6 months,' said Roman Eder, Managing Director of Cyclics Europe GmbH.
Processing options include but are not limited to resin infusion moulding, filament winding, liquid moulding techniques like vacuum assisted RTM and various prepreg-processes.
