Unique in many ways, from its one-of-a-kind product innovations and tests through to its unusually wide portfolio of solutions, Henkel Corporation’s reputation for excellence precedes it. Here, the company outlines its dedication to creating industry products that lengthen blade life, reduce downtime, lower costs and raise turbine performance.
Henkel Corporation is a world-leading provider of products engineered for the manufacture, installation, repair and maintenance of wind turbines. The company’s reputation for technological innovation and passion for excellence drive its development of revolutionary new solutions to the most challenging wind turbine issues.
The only GL-approved two-part polyurethane turbine blade adhesive
Loctite (Macroplast) UK 1340 is an adhesive developed by Henkel for bonding composite turbine blades. It is the only two-part structural polyurethane adhesive to pass the rigorous testing standards established by Germanischer Lloyd (GL).
As blade length increases, stresses on the blade are magnified. Henkel’s adhesive provides superior dynamic fatigue strength and cures rapidly at elevated temperatures, dramatically reducing production time and minimising thermal loading, which can lead to stress cracking. Loctite (Macroplast) UK 1340 also bonds well at room temperature and allows manufacturers to build stronger, higher-quality blades, while enabling faster blade production and greater yield per mould compared with conventional epoxy systems.
The superior tensile fatigue strength of Loctite (Macroplast) UK 1340 results in higher resistance to crack propagation and prolongs blade life, as well as virtually eliminating the risk of structural failure following installation. Loctite (Macroplast) UK 1340 adhesive meets the industry’s highest standards of reliability, performance and quality.
Pioneer of the first sub-component test that evaluates changes in blade design
Turbine blade testing is expensive (costing up to $1 million a test) and time consuming. Henkel engineers have developed a method for evaluating blade performance by component variables for a fraction of the cost.
The 6ft-long test beam is a custom-fabricated composite structure that is made to the unique specifications of the blade manufacturer. Changes and variations in blade design, dimensions, material composition and adhesive can be evaluated quickly and economically. The typical Henkel Beam test costs just $5,000.
The beam is installed in a fixture, and then subjected to stresses (static and dynamic) in line with the specifications of the blade designer. The data collected is then projected across a full-scale design.
The significantly lower cost of the Henkel Beam test allows the development of more efficient blade designs to be accelerated and shortens time to market for manufacturers.
A single-source for manufacturing, operations and maintenance
Henkel offers a full spectrum of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings for the entire life cycle of the wind turbine. Henkel products have been developed for blade, tower, base and nacelle applications, including assembly, maintenance and repair.
Henkel’s OEM offering includes not only core structural adhesives, but also other products used in component manufacturing. Frekote mould release agents are used to make blades and nacelles. Loctite threadlockers, thread sealants, retaining compounds and gasketing materials are found in virtually all phases of manufacturing and maintenance.
Henkel’s operations and maintenance programme includes polyurethane structural bonding adhesives such as Loctite UK 1351 B25 structural bonder, Loctite UK 1370 Putty and Loctite UK 1405 NA Lay-up Resin. Other operations and maintenance products include component sealers, surface and corrosion protection coatings, non-slip safety coatings, base grouts, cable and flange sealants, retaining compounds and cleaners.
Maintenance professionals rely on Henkel products to prolong blade life, increase component reliability, reduce downtime and minimise equipment failure.
