|
1
|
Ntaflos A, Foteinidis G, Liangou T, Bilalis E, Anyfantis K, Tsouvalis N, Tyriakidi T, Tyriakidis K, Tyriakidis N, Paipetis AS. Enhancing Epoxy Composite Performance with Carbon Nanofillers: A Solution for Moisture Resistance and Extended Durability in Wind Turbine Blade Structures. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:524. [PMID: 38276463 PMCID: PMC10817422 DOI: 10.3390/ma17020524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The increasing prominence of glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (GFRPs) in the wind energy industry, due to their exceptional combination of strength, low weight, and resistance to corrosion, makes them an ideal candidate for enhancing the performance and durability of wind turbine blades. The unique properties of GFRPs not only contribute to reduced energy costs through improved aerodynamic efficiency but also extend the operational lifespan of wind turbines. By modifying the epoxy resin with carbon nanofillers, an even higher degree of performance can be achieved. In this work, graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-enhanced GFRPs are produced through industrial methods (filament winding) and coupons are extracted and tested for their mechanical performance after harsh environmental aging in high temperature and moisture. GNPs enhance the in-plane shear strength of GFRP by 200%, while reducing their water uptake by as much as 40%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelos Ntaflos
- CSMLab, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.N.); (G.F.)
| | - Georgios Foteinidis
- CSMLab, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.N.); (G.F.)
| | - Theodora Liangou
- Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory, Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, Greece; (T.L.); (E.B.); (K.A.); (N.T.)
| | - Elias Bilalis
- Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory, Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, Greece; (T.L.); (E.B.); (K.A.); (N.T.)
| | - Konstantinos Anyfantis
- Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory, Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, Greece; (T.L.); (E.B.); (K.A.); (N.T.)
| | - Nicholas Tsouvalis
- Shipbuilding Technology Laboratory, Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, Greece; (T.L.); (E.B.); (K.A.); (N.T.)
| | - Thomais Tyriakidi
- B&T Composites, Agrokthma Florina AA 1834, 53100 Florina, Greece; (T.T.); (K.T.); (N.T.)
| | - Kosmas Tyriakidis
- B&T Composites, Agrokthma Florina AA 1834, 53100 Florina, Greece; (T.T.); (K.T.); (N.T.)
| | - Nikolaos Tyriakidis
- B&T Composites, Agrokthma Florina AA 1834, 53100 Florina, Greece; (T.T.); (K.T.); (N.T.)
| | - Alkiviadis S. Paipetis
- CSMLab, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.N.); (G.F.)
| |
Collapse
|