CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/841219
JULY 2017 34 CompositesWorld INSIDE MANUFACTURING In 2015, Klausen partnered with the Center for Lightweight Production Technology (ZLP) in Stade, Germany, a division of the German Aerospace Center (DLR, Cologne) that collaborates with the DLR Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems in Braunschweig and the Institute of Structures and Design in Stuttgart. Established to enhance cooperation between science and industry, it works to optimize composites production technologies. e ZLP contributed significant blade design and manufacturing experience and a 45m wind blade mold, previ- ously used by turbine maker Nordex (Hamburg, Germany). Finalizing fibers and process e project to demonstrate Covestro's latest developments in a polyurethane resin for wind blades was now set — infusion of a 1 Covestro tested its latest polyurethane resin, glass fiber reinforcements and infusion setup, including injection equipment, prior to the spar cap demonstration. Source (all step photos) | Covestro & Development Center (PRDC, Shanghai, China) and the wind energy center in Otterup, with oversight from Jan Drescher, head of the European infusion resin project in Leverkusen. "e formulation we are working with now," he points out, "is quite different than what was presented at Sandia in 2012." Are the property and processing improvements similar? e advantages in terms of reduced infusion time and improved mechanical properties compared to epoxy and vinyl ester infusion formulations have been maintained, Klausen confirms, but he prefers not to reveal specific property values until this infusion resin's certification by DNV GL (Oslo, Norway) is complete. at process, he estimates, will conclude sometime this year. Notably, a previously formulated Covestro PU resin was the world's first PU resin to receive DNV GL certification. 3 Glass fiber unidirectional reinforcements are placed into the mold. 2 Mold release film is applied to the 45m blade's mold surface. 4 The vacuum bag, resin supply lines and vacuum lines are installed.