Curing Composition for Wind Turbine Blade Adhesives
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Solution Overview
Problem
The wind energy industry faces challenges with epoxy resin adhesives used in wind turbine blades, including a short pot life and excessive exothermic reactions during curing, which can lead to premature curing and quality issues in blade assembly.
Innovation Solution
A curing composition is developed, comprising a condensation product of carboxylic acids with 20-60 carbon atoms and polyoxyalkyleneamines with multiple oxyalkylene moieties and primary amino groups, along with additional amines, to create a two-component adhesive with extended pot life and reduced exothermic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional epoxy curing agents are used, then high shear and compressive strength are achieved, but the pot life is short and exothermic effect is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the curing agent by using polyoxyalkyleneamines with specific molecular structures (containing oxyalkylene moieties and primary amino groups) instead of conventional curing agents. This parameter change extends the pot life while maintaining the required strength properties of the epoxy adhesive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite curing agent system comprising polyoxyalkyleneamines combined with other amines, creating a composite material that balances extended pot life with adequate curing performance and strength development in the epoxy resin system.
2Strength
If conventional epoxy curing agents are used, then high shear and compressive strength are achieved, but uncontrollable exothermic reactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermal parameters of the curing process by selecting polyoxyalkyleneamines with specific structural characteristics that reduce the exothermic heat release during curing, thereby preventing uncontrollable temperature increases while still achieving the required compressive strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful rapid exothermic reaction into a beneficial controlled curing process by using polyoxyalkyleneamines that release heat more slowly and controllably, allowing the curing to proceed without dangerous temperature spikes while still delivering the necessary strength.
3Strength
If the curing process is accelerated, then strength development is improved, but premature curing occurs during application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the kinetic parameters of the curing reaction by using polyoxyalkyleneamines that provide a slower, more controlled reaction rate, extending the application time window without compromising the final adhesive strength through optimized molecular structure selection.
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 curing composition significantly extends the pot life of the adhesive and reduces the exothermic reaction during curing, thereby improving the handling and assembly of wind turbine blades, ensuring better mechanical properties and reduced defects.
Implementation Method 1
a condensation product of: at least one carboxylic acid having 20-60 carbon atoms and at least two carboxyl groups and/or at least one ester derived from a carboxylic acid having 20-60 carbon atoms and at least two carboxyl groups; and at least one polyoxyalkyleneamine
Implementation Method 2
the curing process sometimes occurs accompanied by an enormous release of heat. The exothermic effect may lead to a rapid increase of temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a curing composition comprising: a) a condensation product of at least one carboxylic acid having 20-60 carbon atoms and at least two carboxyl groups and/or at least one ester derived from a carboxylic acid having 20-60 carbon atoms and at least two carboxyl groups; and at least one polyoxyalkyleneamine, wherein the polyoxyalkyleneamine includes: I) at least two oxyalkylene moieties; and II) at least two primary amino groups; and b) at least one amine having at least one amino group. Also provided are an adhesive composition comprising the curing composition, usage of the adhesive, a turbine blade for wind energy comprising the adhesive composition, and a method for manufacturing the curing composition.