Ashland resin shows advantages for wind turbine blade construction

DUBLIN, Ohio – Research presented at the American Composites Manufacturing Association annual meeting, Feb. 9-11, shows that epoxy vinyl ester resins, specifically Ashland’s Derakane® resin, can deliver advantages over traditional epoxy resins for wind blade construction. The research was presented by Kevin Lambrych, global wind energy technology leader for Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH).

Cost and speed to completion were two distinct advantages that surfaced in the research. “When you compare the economics of epoxy blades to epoxy vinyl ester blades in manufacturing, there is an opportunity for a typical manufacturer to save approximately 25 to 30 percent per blade,” said Lambrych. “Derakane epoxy vinyl ester resin also cures much more quickly than straight epoxy.”

Lambrych’s research also compared dynamic mechanical properties and found that epoxy vinyl ester resins fall well within the requirements as established by Germanischer Lloyd, the global organization that has established performance standards for the wind energy industry. In comparison performance tests, Ashland’s Derakane resin delivered equivalent strength characteristics to epoxy resin and reach its final curing stage in one-third less time.

Ashland Performance Materials is the global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and epoxy vinyl ester resins. In addition, it provides customers with leading technologies in gelcoats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, and metal casting consumables and design services.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world’s most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

New technology to be introduced at ACMA Booth #617

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