In order to achieve efficient production, the blades of modern wind turbines have become larger and larger. In order to make a rotor longer than 300 inches, a material with excellent performance is required. Therefore polyester-based composites are being replaced by high-elastic fiber composites made of epoxy resins.
BASF's new products include two resin impregnation systems and a laminate resin specifically designed for the manufacture of rotor blades for wind turbines. The BASF system promotes the manufacture of lightweight, as well as fiber-reinforced components with excellent mechanical strength, by incorporating a resin compound and a vulcanizing agent compound that is compatible with it.
BASF's epoxy resin systems for fiber-reinforced composites have been approved by the world's leading Germanischer Lloyd AG (GL), an insurance company that sets performance standards for wind turbines. This is also the threshold standard for materials used in the wind energy industry.
At present, BASF is developing a new type of vulcanizing agent production line with excellent characteristics, because BASF believes that it will meet the market demand for the next generation of epoxy resin systems, including a short cycle time and the need for higher mechanical strength.
BASF offers amine-based vulcanizing agents and accelerators specifically for the vulcanization of epoxy resins. Baxxodur amine vulcanizates have a great influence on the final properties of epoxy resins. In addition to tensile and impact strength, vulcanizing agents can also affect the chemical and thermal resistance of composite materials and play a crucial role in increasing production efficiency.