Silicone-Fluorine Polyurethane for Wind Blade Weathering and Rain Erosion
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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 high-temperature/low-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 form physical cross-linking points, resulting in improved homogeneity and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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
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 weather resistance of polysiloxane and the rain erosion resistance of fluoro rubber, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyurethane material by introducing specific ratios of polysiloxane (5-8 parts) and fluoro rubber (4-5 parts) into the formulation. These parameter changes transform the material properties to simultaneously achieve mechanical strength and environmental resistance.
2Strength
If polyurethane materials are used for protecting leading edges of wind turbine blades, then mechanical strength is improved, but weather resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by integrating polyurethane with hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane (providing UV resistance and thermal stability) and hydroxyl-terminated fluoro rubber (providing weather resistance). This composite approach maintains mechanical strength while adding protection against weathering factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and fluoro rubber as intermediary substances that mediate between the polyurethane base material and the harsh weather environment. These intermediaries provide the necessary weather resistance while maintaining compatibility with the polyurethane matrix.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If organosilicon or organofluorine materials are introduced into polyurethane to improve weather resistance, then weather resistance is improved, but compatibility deteriorates causing migration and layering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and fluoro rubber with specific molecular structures and ratios (5-8 parts polysiloxane, 4-5 parts fluoro rubber). These parameter changes ensure compatibility with polyurethane, preventing phase separation while maintaining weather resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves homogeneity by selecting hydroxyl-terminated modifiers that are chemically compatible with the polyurethane matrix. The uniform distribution of polysiloxane and fluoro rubber phases within the polyurethane matrix prevents migration and layering, maintaining material homogeneity while improving weather resistance.
4Reliability
If protective paint or film is applied to leading edges of blades, then rain erosion resistance is improved, but the protection fails after 3 to 5 years in harsh wind fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system that combines the advantages of multiple polymers: polyurethane for mechanical strength, polysiloxane for thermal stability and UV resistance, and fluoro rubber for rain erosion resistance. This composite structure provides durable protection that maintains its properties throughout the service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends service life by changing the chemical composition parameters to include weather-resistant components. The modified polyurethane material maintains its protective properties after prolonged exposure to harsh wind field conditions, extending the duration of action beyond the 3-5 year limitation of conventional materials.
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 enhanced rain erosion resistance, ultraviolet aging resistance, and improved mechanical properties, extending the lifespan of protective covers for wind turbine blades.
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
Implementation Method 2
the filler is one or two selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide
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
Data Source
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. The modified polyurethane material is prepared through a prepolymer method as follows: adding a component A and a component B to a closed container capable of being vacuumed, and mixing to allow a reaction. 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. The present disclosure avoids the problem that the poor compatibility between organosilicon or organofluorine and polyurethane causes the phenomena such as migration of organosilicon or organofluorine to a surface and layering to make a material have poor homogeneity, and thus leads to the modified polyurethane material with excellent rain erosion resistance and weather resistance.