Engineering Viscoelastic Properties in Polyurethane Coatings to Reduce Erosion Risks in Wind Turbine Blades

Imad Ouachan*, Carwyn Ward, Ian Hamerton, Kirsten Dyer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

376 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The dynamic mechanical response of a commercial prototype Leading Edge
Protection (LEP) coating based on polyurethane (PU) chemistry is analysed using
Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) as a function of temperature and
frequency. The temperature range chosen reflects the operating range used in offshore wind turbines, with the damping characteristics of the coating maximal at 25°C. The Time Temperature Superposition (TTS) methodology was applied to the DMTA data to predict the viscoelastic behaviour of the PU LEP at frequencies (10-2 - 1010 Hz) consistent with the predicted strain rates induced by the impact of rain droplets on wind turbine blades (106 - 109 Hz). A Young’s modulus is reported for the PU of 2.78 x106 GPa at 108 s-1, compared with 278 MPa at 1 s-1 i.e. the equivalent of quasi-static testing. This method presents a potential for improved understanding of LEP material at high strain rates and a test methodology for generating material properties for coating lifetime prediction.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-24
Number of pages13
JournalSampe journal
Volume57
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2021
EventSociety for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering Europe Conference and Exhibition 2020 - Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 30 Sept 20201 Oct 2020
https://www.sampe-europe.org/conferences/se-conference-20-amsterdam

Keywords

  • Leading edge erosion
  • Viscoelasticity
  • wind turbines
  • Coatings

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