Modified Polyurethane Composition for Wind Blade Rain Erosion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyurethane materials used for protecting wind turbine blade leading edges suffer from poor rain erosion resistance, weather resistance, and temperature resistance, leading to degradation of aerodynamic performance and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A modified polyurethane material is prepared by introducing hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and hydroxyl-terminated fluorine-containing polymers, along with fillers like titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide, through a prepolymer method to enhance compatibility and homogeneity, using a solvent-free process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyurethane materials are used for protecting leading edges of wind turbine blades, then mechanical strength and wear resistance are improved, but rain erosion resistance and weather resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidrain erosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polyurethane with hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and hydroxyl-terminated fluoro rubber to create a modified polyurethane material. This composite structure integrates the mechanical strength of polyurethane with the rain erosion resistance of polysiloxane and the weather resistance of fluoro rubber, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If polyurethane materials are used for protecting leading edges of wind turbine blades, then mechanical strength is improved, but weather resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidweather resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates hydroxyl-terminated fluoro rubber into the polyurethane matrix to create a composite material. The fluoro rubber component provides excellent weather resistance and UV stability while maintaining the mechanical strength contributed by the polyurethane base material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If organosilicon or organofluorine materials are introduced into polyurethane to improve weather resistance, then thermal stability is improved, but compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydroxyl groups as intermediary functional groups that enable chemical bonding between the organosilicon/organofluorine modifiers and the polyurethane matrix. The hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and fluoro rubber contain reactive hydroxyl groups that form chemical bonds with isocyanate groups in polyurethane, acting as intermediaries that ensure compatibility and prevent phase separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the modifier materials by selecting hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and hydroxyl-terminated fluoro rubber with specific hydroxyl content and molecular weight ranges. These parameter adjustments optimize both thermal stability and compatibility with the polyurethane matrix.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If organosilicon or organofluorine materials are introduced into polyurethane to improve weather resistance, then photostability is improved, but homogeneity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovephotostabilityVSAvoidhomogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the molecular weight and hydroxyl content parameters of the polysiloxane and fluoro rubber modifiers to ensure optimal dispersion and homogeneity in the polyurethane matrix. The hydroxyl-terminated structures with controlled parameters prevent aggregation and ensure uniform distribution, maintaining material homogeneity while achieving improved photostability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified polyurethane material exhibits improved rain erosion resistance, weather resistance, and temperature stability, preventing degradation and extending the lifespan of wind turbine blade protection.

Implementation Method 1

the introduction of a silicon/fluorine-containing material into polyurethane through copolymerization or blending to improve the weather resistance and the high-temperature and low-temperature resistance of polyurethane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCopolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

fluorine atoms with high electronegativity and small atomic radii, and have high C—F bond energy, which endow the fluorine-containing polymers with excellent thermal oxidation resistance and photostability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal oxidation resistance: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

fluorine atoms with high electronegativity and small atomic radii, and have high C—F bond energy, which endow the fluorine-containing polymers with excellent thermal oxidation resistance and photostability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotostability: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

Polysiloxanes are a class of polymers in which repeated silicon-oxygen bonds serve as a main chain and organic groups are directly linked to silicon atoms. Polysiloxanes have advantages such as low-temperature flexibility, small surface tension, excellent biocompatibility, and prominent thermal stability.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal stability: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20250368823A1Modified polyurethane material with excellent rain erosion resistance and weather resistance, and preparation method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.04 ZHUZHOU TIMES NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a modified polyurethane material with excellent rain erosion resistance and weather resistance, and a preparation method and use thereof. In the present disclosure, a hydroxyl-terminated liquid fluoro rubber and a hydroxyl-terminated silane are adopted as modification materials to introduce silicon-containing and fluorine-containing materials into polyurethane. In addition, a filler and a corresponding additive are added, and physical cross-linking points are formed from the filler to further adsorb hydroxyl-terminated silicon/fluorine, so as to produce a homogeneous material. In this way the modified polyurethane material with excellent rain erosion resistance and weather resistance is obtained.