Columbus, Ohio-based Hexion, a supplier of epoxy resins, curing agents and bonding pastes, has introduced a new bonding paste, EPIKOTE BP 535, to strengthen lengthier wind turbine blades.
As the wind industry migrates to larger turbines with longer, heavier rotor blades, a variety of production challenges have emerged, Hexion notes. One drawback of conventional bonding paste has been that it can only remain exposed to air for a limited time before its adhesive performance suffers due to the formation of surface film.
Conventional pastes often formed surface film within an hour – causing the bonding paste to lose effectiveness. However, advances in bonding paste production provides a longer pot life – up to four hours – allowing blade manufacturers additional time to lay down the paste and assemble the parts.
