Properties Variation of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite for Marine Current Turbine in Seawater

Abstract

Abstract. Turbine blade which are generally made of composite is a core device among components of tidal current power generator that converts the flow of tidal current into a turning force. Recent years, damages of composite turbine blades have been reported due to reasons like seawater degradation, lake of strength, manufacture etc. In this paper, water absorption, tensile, bending, longitudinal transverse shearing properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CRP) composite which would be applied to fabricate the marine current turbine blade has been investigated. Furthermore, the variations of properties with seawater immersion period were studied. The results indicated that the water absorption increased almost linearly at the beginning of immersion and then became stable. Tensile strength of specimen tended to decrease firstly and then recovered slightly. However, the longitudinal transverse shearing strength showed reverse variation trend comparing to tensile strength. And the bending property of specimens was depressed significantly. The properties variations in seawater shall be referenced to design and fabrication of composite marine current turbine blade.

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“…The swelling process that occurred during immersion may be associated with the effects of bonded water, in which crucial internal stresses were exerted by the presence of a constraint [99]. In a similar study by Li et al (2016) on the effect of seawater on reinforced carbon woven fabrics, similar effects were observed on the material properties. The tensile strength of the specimen after being immersed in seawater experienced a reduction from 1415 to 1190 MPa.…”

“…A similar trend was also recorded for the elastic modulus of the specimen after it was left in the seawater for approximately 120 days. Within 63 days, there is a total reduction in the modulus of 9 GPa, while the value illustrates a slight increase in the elastic modulus by 6 GPa by the end of immersion period [ 82 ].…”

“…The tensile strength of the specimen after being immersed in seawater experienced a reduction from 1415 to 1190 MPa. The modulus of elasticity of the specimen also declined in value from 106 to 97 GPa after being immersed in seawater for approximately 63 days [ 82 ].…”