Wind Energy - Assembly & Protection Solutions Division | Parker US
Windmills on a green mountain

With more than 40 years of experience in developing and manufacturing structural adhesives, our extensive line of acrylic, epoxy and urethane adhesives improve wind turbine component strength, durability, and appearance, while offering design flexibility, total cost savings, corrosion resistance and the ability to join dissimilar materials. Curing at room temperature, our adhesives are suitable for a variety of composite, metal and plastic assemblies.

What adhesives are ideal for wind energy applications?

Adhesives used in wind energy applications must be able to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as high temperature fluctuations, exposure to UV radiation, moisture, and salt spray.

 

They should also have high strength and durability to ensure long-term performance and reliability. Some common adhesives used in wind energy applications include:

 

  1. Epoxy adhesives: Epoxy adhesives are widely used in wind energy applications due to their high strength, excellent adhesion, and resistance to environmental factors. They are commonly used to bond composite materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, which are commonly used in wind turbine blades.
  2. Acrylic adhesives: Acrylic adhesives are known for their high strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. They are commonly used to bond metal components in wind turbines, such as the tower and nacelle.
  3. Polyurethane adhesives: Polyurethane adhesives are known for their excellent adhesion and flexibility, which makes them ideal for bonding materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion. They are commonly used to bond composite materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, in wind turbine blades.
  4. Silicone adhesives: Silicone adhesives are known for their excellent resistance to high temperatures and UV radiation. They are commonly used to seal and bond components in wind turbines, such as the nacelle and hub.

It's important to note that the selection of the ideal adhesive for wind energy applications will depend on the specific requirements of the application, including the materials being bonded, the environmental conditions, and the expected lifespan of the adhesive bond. Therefore, it's important to consult with our team of experts before making your selection.

Structural Adhesives for Wind Turbine Applications

Structural adhesives are applicable to a variety of wind turbine structure components including:

 

  • Blade assembly
  • Blade bonding
  • Void filling
  • Bolt, stud, and metal-insert fixing
  • Panel and stringer structural bonding
  • Nacelle assembly
  • Hub, bearing, and gearbox assembly
  • Electrical component sealing and protection
  • Magnet bonding and coatings
  • Tower assembly
  • Installation, maintenance, and blade repair
Structural Adhesives for Wind Turbine Applications

Cure Time Critical to Blade Bonding

Curing times are a crucial aspect of bonding. Some applications require adhesives that cure quickly, such as repair operations, while other applications need a slower cure time, as in manufacturing.

 

Large wind blades, for one, need a slower cure time. When bonding the two blade halves and laying down beads of adhesives, it's good to have a curing process begin at the same time. An adhesive should not start curing before all of it is applied to the entire blade. When the dispensing finishes, the two halves are placed together, and the curing can commence. Curing at room temperature lets the adhesives provide crack resistance for a variety of composite, metal, and plastic assemblies.

 

Engineering assistance is available for joint design, fixturing recommendations, adhesive selection, and MMD (bulk dispensing) equipment guidance. If you need help choosing one of our standard adhesive products or if they don’t quite meet your needs, let us help you find a solution.

Structural Adhesives for Wind Turbine Applications

Not sure which adhesive you need for your Wind Turbine application? Talk with one of our experts.

Call Us at 877-275-5673