Amine Composition for Epoxy Curing in Wind Turbine Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
The wind energy industry faces challenges in developing epoxy systems suitable for wind turbine blade fabrication, requiring extended pot life, fast development of glass transition temperature (Tg), and reduced exothermic effects during curing, while maintaining desired mechanical properties.
Innovation Solution
An amine composition comprising an alkylated diamine, a tertiary amine, and a polyoxyalkyleneamine is used in combination with an epoxy resin to form an epoxy system with improved pot life, Tg development, and reduced exothermic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If temperature raises during processing, then viscosity of the epoxy system increases, but wetting of fibers becomes difficult and mechanical property loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the curing agent system, combining multiple amines with different molecular weights and reactivity characteristics. This parameter change allows the epoxy system to maintain lower viscosity at elevated temperatures while preserving fiber wetting capability and mechanical properties, resolving the contradiction between temperature increase and strength maintenance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If epoxy system has extended pot life, then wetting of fibers is improved, but curing speed and Tg development are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple curing agents with different functional characteristics into a single composition system. The combination includes amines providing extended pot life and amines providing fast curing speed, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously through synergistic interaction of the combined components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite curing agent system combining multiple amine compounds with different molecular structures and reactivity profiles. This composite approach enables the system to exhibit both extended pot life and fast curing characteristics, resolving the contradiction between duration and speed requirements.
3Productivity
If epoxy system has fast Tg development, then productivity is improved, but exothermic effect during curing increases causing thermal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific amine compounds with controlled reactivity and molecular weight. This parameter optimization enables fast Tg development for improved productivity while controlling the exothermic heat generation to prevent thermal degradation, resolving the contradiction between speed and harmful thermal effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed epoxy system achieves a long pot life, rapid Tg development, and minimized exothermic effects, ensuring better processing properties and maintaining high mechanical performance in wind turbine blades.
Implementation Method 1
an amine composition comprising a) an alkylated diamine; b) a tertiary amine; and c) a polyoxyalkyleneamine
Implementation Method 2
reduced exothermic effect during curing of the epoxy system cure
Implementation Method 3
viscosity of the epoxy system will increase, making wetting of fibers difficult
Implementation Method 4
fast development of glass transition temperature (Tg) for epoxy systems
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an amine composition comprising a) an alkylated diamine b) a tertiary amine; and c) a polyoxyalkyleneamnne. Also disclosed are an epoxy system prepared from the amine composition and an epoxy resin and use thereof.