Lightweight rotor blades made from plastic foams for offshore wind turbines
Tuesday, October 4, 2016 - 08:51
in Physics & Chemistry
Offshore wind turbines are becoming ever larger, and the transportation, installation, disassembly and disposal of their gigantic rotor blades are presenting operators with new challenges. Fraunhofer researchers have partnered with industry experts to develop highly durable thermoplastic foams and composites that make the blades lighter and recyclable. Thanks to their special properties, the new materials are also suitable for other lightweight structures, for instance in the automotive sector. The first demonstrators will be on display at the K 2016 trade fair in Düsseldorf from October 19 to 26.