AGY Inroduces S-1 HM Rovings for Wind Turbine Applications

Using a proprietary new glass formulation, S-1 HM rovings are the highest tensile modulus glass fibers available worldwide, at 90 GPa, as measured by ASTM D2343. Typical E-Glass products offer tensile modulus of 70-75 GPa, while competitive higher performance glass fibers offer tensile modulus of 80-85 GPa. “Feedback from various wind turbine OEMs suggests the current need for high performance reinforcements is the highest possible tensile modulus while maintaining a balance with cost, “said Drew Walker, AGY Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The key to S-1 HM rovings is the fact that it can be produced at high volumes in a very cost effective manner, maximizing the value/performance offered to blade designers and manufacturers.”

Data generated in unidirectional laminates (ASTM D3039, D3410) have shown that in the same resin system, S-1 HM rovings can have significant benefits over traditional E-Glass - an 85% increase in tensile strength, an increase in tensile modulus in excess of 20%, a 50% increase in compressive strength, and a 20% increase in compressive modulus. It is also expected that S-1 HM rovings will demonstrate a 10x improvement in fatigue vs. E-Glass which will improve reliability and lower the total cost of ownership for blades. When compared to competitive higher performance glass reinforcements, S-1 HM rovings show a 30% increase in tensile strength, a 10% increase in tensile modulus, a 12% increase in compressive strength, and a 10% increase in compressive modulus.

“The ability to add length to a wind turbine blade allows the turbine to operate at 100% efficiency over a larger range of wind speeds. This, in turn, can reduce the cost of the electricity generated,” explained Walker. “The ability to reduce weight of a blade can also have benefits in terms of reducing costs in other areas of the complete wind turbine structure. AGY’s S-1 HM rovings not only meet the current demand for performance/value balance, but also set the standard for high performance glass fiber products for use in new designs for longer and lighter blades.”

S-1 HM rovings are available in a range of yields for both epoxy and polyester resin systems. The direct roving product form is tailored for standard conversion to unidirectional fabrics and prepregs and multiaxial fabrics.