Glass Fiber Rovings suit wind turbine blade applications.

AGY Sep 21, 2010

Press Release Summary:

Using proprietary new glass formulation, S-1 HM(TM) glass fibers feature 90 GPa tensile modulus and are suited for use in wind turbine blade applications. High-performance rovings, otherwise optimized for tensile strength, compressive strength, and compressive modulus, are fatigue resistant and come in various yields for epoxy and polyester resin systems. Direct roving product form is tailored for standard conversion to unidirectional fabrics and prepregs and multiaxial fabrics.

Original Press Release:

AGY Introduces S-1 HM(TM) Rovings for Wind Turbine Blade Applications

AIKEN, SC, USA - AGY, a leading global producer of glass fiber yarns and high-strength glass fiber reinforcements, announces the introduction of S-1 HM(TM) high performance rovings for use in wind turbine blade applications. S-1 HM fibers were designed to offer superior value performance in the highly competitive wind energy composite reinforcement market.

Using a proprietary new glass formulation, S-1 HM rovings are the highest tensile modulus glass fibers available worldwide, at 90 GPa, as measured by ASTM D2343. Typical E-Glass products offer tensile modulus of 70-75 GPa, while competitive higher performance glass fibers offer tensile modulus of 80-85 GPa. "Feedback from various wind turbine OEMs suggests the current need for high performance reinforcements is the highest possible tensile modulus while maintaining a balance with cost, "said Drew Walker, AGY Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The key to S-1 HM rovings is the fact that it can be produced at high volumes in a very cost effective manner, maximizing the value/performance offered to blade designers and manufacturers."

Data generated in unidirectional laminates (ASTM D3039, D3410) have shown that in the same resin system, S-1 HM rovings can have significant benefits over traditional E-Glass - an 85% increase in tensile strength, an increase in tensile modulus in excess of 20%, a 50% increase in compressive strength, and a 20% increase in compressive modulus. It is also expected that S-1 HM rovings will demonstrate a 10x improvement in fatigue vs. E-Glass which will improve reliability and lower the total cost of ownership for blades. When compared to competitive higher performance glass reinforcements, S-1 HM rovings show a 30% increase in tensile strength, a 10% increase in tensile modulus, a 12% increase in compressive strength, and a 10% increase in compressive modulus.

"The ability to add length to a wind turbine blade allows the turbine to operate at 100% efficiency over a larger range of wind speeds. This, in turn, can reduce the cost of the electricity generated," explained Walker. "The ability to reduce weight of a blade can also have benefits in terms of reducing costs in other areas of the complete wind turbine structure. AGY's S-1 HM rovings not only meet the current demand for performance/value balance, but also set the standard for high performance glass fiber products for use in new designs for longer and lighter blades."

S-1 HM rovings are available in a range of yields for both epoxy and polyester resin systems. The direct roving product form is tailored for standard conversion to unidirectional fabrics and prepregs and multiaxial fabrics.

For more information on S-1 HM rovings, please call 888-434-0945, or visit AGY's website at www.agy.com.

Note: If you would like more information about this story, or if you would like to speak with an AGY spokesperson, please contact Kris Jommersbach at krisj@geminiinc.com