Wind Turbine Blade Polyurea
Wind turbine blades face harsh conditions like wind, rain, sun, and salt spray, demanding durable, corrosion-resistant materials. Polyurea, especially the latest generation tailored for wind turbine blades, excels in safeguarding surfaces with superior performance.
The development of polyurea has gone through four stages:
The first generation of polyurea:
Aromatic polyurea, a cost-effective choice, results from aromatic isocyanate and terminal amino curing agent. Among these, wind turbine blade polyurea stands out for its 100% solid content, rapid reaction (over ten seconds), requirement for specialized equipment for application (over 1.0mm), limited weather resistance, and potential yellowing.
The second generation of polyurea:
Derived from aliphatic isocyanate and terminal amino curing agent, aliphatic polyurea is pricier than aromatics, less prevalent, but notable for its 100% solid content. It reacts swiftly (over ten seconds), requiring thick application via specialized equipment (over 1.0mm), and providing exceptional weather resistance, durability, and resistance to yellowing.
The third generation of polyurea:
Polyaspartic acid ester polyurea, referred to as aspartic polyurea. It is formed by the reaction of polyaspartic acid ester and isocyanate. Isocyanate is usually aliphatic and has excellent weather resistance. This polyurea variant exhibits a delayed reaction time (from minutes to tens of minutes), low viscosity, thin application potential (over 0.1mm), suitable for standard sprayers. Primarily utilized for surface protection, it significantly improves corrosion, wear, and impact resistance, particularly on wind turbine blades.
The fourth generation of polyurea:
Fluorosilicone-modified polyaspartic acid ester polyurea, known as fluorosilicone aspartic polyurea, represents the fourth polyurea generation. Evolving from aspartic polyurea, this variant enhances properties through silicone and fluorine additives. While preserving its original traits, it gains hydrophobic, oil-repellent, stain-resistant, and self-cleaning features. Moreover, its high and low-temperature resilience expands significantly from the typical -40°C to +80°C to -60°C to +120°C, making it ideal for harsh environments like extreme cold, high temperatures, and marine and humid regions.
Advantages of the fourth-generation polyurea wind turbine blade polyurea:
Excellent corrosion resistance:
This material withstands prolonged corrosion from acids, alkalis, and salts below 10%, with salt spray tests exceeding 4000 hours, effectively guarding against blade corrosion and aging.
Super wear resistance and impact resistance:
Excellent wear resistance, can withstand long-term wear of wind and sand; strong impact resistance, ensuring stable operation of the blades in strong wind environments.
Wide range of temperature resistance:
High temperature resistance up to 120℃, low temperature resistance up to -60℃, adaptable to different climatic conditions.
Hydrophobic and oil-repellent self-cleaning function:
The coating surface is super hydrophobic, does not get wet or oily, effectively prevents the formation of ice, and is easy to fall off, keeping the blades clean and running efficiently.
Convenient construction:
Low viscosity and slow curing speed make it easy to spray, hand-coat or roll, which is convenient for construction, saving time and cost.
Strong bonding with substrate:
It forms strong bonds with substrates like metals and composites, boasting adhesion exceeding 6MPa, ensuring lasting durability.
Extended longevity benefits wind turbines: With superb UV and aging resistance, the protective coating can last over 20 years, effectively elongating the lifespan of turbine blades and the entire system.
Polyurea applications on wind turbine blades have proven highly effective. Numerous wind farms have adopted polyurea coatings, yielding significant outcomes such as prolonged blade lifespan, reduced maintenance expenses, and enhanced power generation efficiency.
