Dallas-based Ventus Wind Services LLC, a full-service blade repair, inspection and maintenance provider for utility-grade wind plant owners, has finalized a commercial agreement with 3B, a fiberglass company in Brussels, Belgium, for North American commercial rights to the new Hiper-tex line of high-strength fiberglass for rotor blade repairs.
Hiper-tex was originally developed by Owens Corning for the growing wind energy market and was acquired by 3B in 2007. A higher-strength glass was needed by the wind energy industry to enable blade manufacturers to produce larger blades without increasing weight, according to the company.
By using Hiper-tex fabrics, which are stronger than E-glass fabrics, Ventus says it can increase the tensile strength of the repaired rotor blade, thereby bringing it closer to the original strength of the laminate.
Ventus offers both laminate design and support services for other blade repair companies that may be interested in utilizing this higher-strength fiberglass.
For more information, visit ventuswind.com.
SOURCE: Ventus Wind Services LLC
