Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Coating For Carbon Fiber Windmill Blades

Am working with a firm that designs, manufactures and installs windmills for electricity generation. They have a need to acquire a surface coating for the 50 meter long carbon fiber blades (three per windmill) that will keep surfaces clean and slippery. Max blade efficiency is a must and dirt, debris, organic materials and whatever else may strike them needs to be repelled. Due to the magnitude of these units they also want to limit or eliminate re-coating over time. Information on potential solutions appreciated - thanks.

Tom Isaacson
Supplier of marine coatings - Santa Barbara, California, USA
August 11, 2009

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August 14, 2009

Have they considered Tedlar?
You can get bondable tedlars which might be able to be applied during the fabrication process and would therefore be extremely efficient to apply.
Cost may not be the initial driving force but will always be a consideration.
There are a massive range of types. Speak to your local Du-Pont Rep I am sure they would be interested in such a large item.

Ciaron Murphy
Aerospace - UK

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August 28, 2009

You might also consider Lumiflon, a fluororesin of FEVE technology.
This technology allow to formulate top coatings with high UV and weathering resistance as well as low dirt pick up.
Having several decades of longevity, it requires low maintenance.

Pascale Hering
Supplier - Amsterdam, The Netherlands