Introducing the first of a new benchmark series of products for turbine blade manufacturing.

Battice, Belgium

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Advantex® SE2020 reinforcements deliver game-changing solutions for epoxy resin systems in vacuum infusion and prepreg processes.

3B-the fibreglass company announces today the introduction of a renewed range of reinforcements each designed for specific resin systems and engineered to provide optimum performances for the manufacture of wind turbine blades.

The first product in the series to be revealed is Advantex® SE2020 a new single-end roving specifically engineered for epoxy polymer systems utilized in resin infusion or prepreg processes.

Luc Peters, 3B Wind Energy Technical Product Manager: “At 3B we focus on understanding the needs of wind energy OEMs by working hand in hand with the designers, the weavers and ultimately the manufacturers of turbine blades. Collaborating with the entire value chain enables us to bring to market new benchmark rovings which further pushes the limits of glass fibre composite blade designs to address new challenges facing the wind industry.”

At present multi-compatible reinforcements are commonly used with different resin systems such as epoxy (EP), unsaturated polyester (UP), vinyl ester (VE), etc. However by developing innovative and proprietary sizing technology focused on a specific resin family (epoxy), 3B is changing the rules of the game. By optimizing the coupling of the reinforcement uniquely for epoxy resin systems 3B thereby achieves best-in-class composite properties. With such a value proposition, 3B’s renewed product offering becomes an industry benchmark for structural resins.

“Aligned with our strategy to be the wind energy solution provider, 3B has been continuously analyzing the market to better understand the challenges confronting the entire value chain. Our company has put tremendous R&D efforts in developing and combining new reinforcements with precise sizing technology to respond to the needs of the industry,” comments Onur Tokgoz, 3B Wind Energy Global Business Leader.

Compared to conventional materials in the market place, 3B’s new Advantex® SE2020 roving for epoxy resin systems offers better wet out therefore providing a more consistent laminate quality, a significantly improved resin matrix adhesion which delivers higher shear strength, and substantially greater interfibre strength. This, together with the resulting enhanced fatigue performance, makes the new SE2020 roving the solution that designers need to greatly improve existing blades and, more importantly, to create the next generation of epoxy wind turbine blades.

“At 3B, we strongly believe wind energy will play a key role in the need for efficient power generation that is clean, reliable and cost effective, especially in light of the recent announcements concerning the reduction and eventual elimination of our dependence on nuclear power,” comments Onur Tokgoz. “To meet future needs and help reduce the cost per kWh, larger multi-megawatt wind turbines will become the norm, but these will require improved blade designs with enhanced materials to ensure their efficiency and productivity,” concluded Tokgoz.

Advantex® SE2020 roving has been designed specifically for epoxy resin applications in the wind energy market. However, its attractive properties and superior mechanical performances together with very good hydrolysis resistance and inherent corrosion resistance will be of interest to many other epoxy resin composite structural applications such as pressure vessels, pipes, leaf springs, tidal turbine blades, etc.

About 3B-the fibreglass company

3B-the fibreglass company is a leading developer and supplier of fibreglass products and technologies for the reinforcement of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers. This dynamic and entrepreneurial company has two state-of-the-art fibreglass manufacturing facilities inBattice, Belgium and Birkeland, Norway as well as a dedicated R&D Centre located in the heart of Europe. 3B’s ambition is to be the thermoplastic reinforcement global leader, the wind energy solution provider and the business development partner for innovative composite applications. This growth agenda builds upon three strategic drivers that are sustainability, technological innovation and a global presence to most effectively service our international customers.

The company operates two unique eco-responsible and high performance glass technologies, Advantex® and HiPer-tex™. These two well established brands combine durability with eco-responsibility and versatility, making them the materials of choice for a wide range of industries. With a sound foundation of unique assets, 3B is committed to design reliable and durable fibreglass solutions available globally.

For more information visit our new website: www.3b-fibreglass.com.