Experimental and Numerical Comparison of Impact Behavior between Thermoplastic and Thermoset Composite for Wind Turbine Blades

Abstract

Damage generated due to low velocity impact in composite plates was evaluated focusing on the design and structural integrity of wind turbine blades. Impact properties of composite plates manufactured with thermoplastic and thermoset resins for different energy levels were measured and compared. Specimens were fabricated using VARTM (vacuum assisted resin transfer molding), using both matrix systems in conjunction with carbon, glass and carbon/glass hybrid fibers in the NCF (non-crimp fabric) architecture. Resin systems used were ELIUM 188O (thermoplastic) from Arkema Co., Ltd. and a standard epoxy reference, EPR-L20 from Hexion Co., Ltd. (thermoset). Auxiliary numerical finite element analyses were performed to better understand the tests physics. These models were then compared with the experimental results to verify their predictive capacity, given the intrinsic limitations due to their simplicity. Based in the presented results, it is possible to observe that ELIUM is capable to replace a conventional thermoset matrix. The thermoplastic panels presented similar results compared to its thermoset counterparts, with even a trend of less impact damage. Additionally, for both thermoplastic and thermoset resin systems, glass layups showed the lowest levels of damage while carbon panels presented the highest damage levels. Hybrid laminates can be applied as a compromise solution.

A review of impact loads on composite wind turbine blades: Impact threats and classification

“…Wind turbine blades are made of composite materials as well as sandwich sections (Fig. 2) that are weak in through the thickness direction, thus impact loads on blades can be detrimental to their structural integrity [8,25]. In addition, complex failure modes are obtained under impact loads that simultaneously interact and are sometimes visually undetectable [26].…”

Comparative analysis of thermoplastic and thermoset adhesives performance and the influence on failure analysis in jointed elium‐based composite structures

“…For instance, Pinto et al reported that glass/carbon fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) produced with elium and epoxy resin exhibit similar behavior for using the same fiber reinforcement; also, composites with elium matrix had shown less impact damage. 9 Bhudolia et al measured 16.3% higher impact load bearing for carbon/elium composite pipes than epoxy counterparts. Bending test results also revealed that both composite groups have comparable load-bearing capacity, and the elium matrix exhibits less delamination damage.…”

“…Recently, significant attempts have been noted in the literature scrutinizing the mechanical attributes of this novel elium resin‐based composites consisting of different fiber reinforcements. For instance, Pinto et al reported that glass/carbon fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) produced with elium and epoxy resin exhibit similar behavior for using the same fiber reinforcement; also, composites with elium matrix had shown less impact damage 9 . Bhudolia et al measured 16.3% higher impact load bearing for carbon/elium composite pipes than epoxy counterparts.…”

Characterization of Polymeric Composites for Hydrogen Tank

“…However, the material properties of the thermoplastic-based composite are not readily available as in the case of the Epoxy-based composite. Although, some researchers [ 14 ] have determined the impact behavior of the thermoplastic-based composite for wind turbine blade application. However, no research has been conduct like this or keep it aed on determining the thermoplastic composite’s tensile strength and tensile modulus, which are crucial factors in designing the hydrogen tank.…”