Wind Energy Applications are Ideally Suited for Thermoset Composites

Performance and cost considerations are spurring the use of new materials in the “small wind” energy market. Thermoset composites for wind energy applications are at the forefront of product innovation because of their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, durability, UV resistance, and low specific gravity. Consisting of fiber reinforcement in a polymer resin, field-tested thermoset sheet molding compound (SMC) offers many advantages to the burgeoning global wind power industry:

• High strength-to-weight ratio: up to 35 percent lighter than metal parts of equal strength;
• Durable: well suited for painting or powder coating to achieve 30-year operational life;
• Corrosion/UV resistance: withstands exposure to air, sun, water, and other environments;
• Structural rigidity: maintains complex shapes and finishes that won’t deteriorate;
• Moldability and parts consolidation: allows manufacturers to design the most efficient and cost-effective solution for their market;
• Easy compliance with safety regulations and fire codes, increasing the number and location of potential installations.

Aeroform™ thermoset molding compounds from IDI Composites International are composites with dimensional stability and are specifically designed for demanding wind energy applications. Once molded, the materials are exceptionally strong and rigid, able to absorb both shock and vibration. They are also resistant to a variety of corrosive and natural forces, such as UV light and moisture, and maintain their shape and performance attributes for decades. Components can be molded in color, or color applied after molding.

Aeroform is a trademark of IDI Composites International.