WIND TURBINE TAPE

This is the first post in a little series featuring stories on the bits and pieces and parts that make up wind energy. Let's call it BETTER WIND. Each story is a small example of the THOUSANDS of parts and products necessary to turn wind into wind energy. Each is a little piece of a booming economy.

3M Applies Aerospace Technology to Lengthen Wind Turbine Life
August 1, 2007 (Aerospace Online)

WHO
3M (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing)

WHAT
3M debuted Wind Tapes 8608 and 8609 to cover, protect and repair wind turbine blades.

Polyurethane protective tapes from 3M. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
Debuted August 1.

WHERE
3M is based in St. Paul, Minnesota

WHY
- Turbine blades are exposed to every kind of natural element. The durable 3M tape material protects from sand blasting, rain saturation and moisture, insects, airborne particles and the light and heat of ultraviolet rays.
- The tape, applied to the outer 2/3 of the blades, will reduce maintenance and replacement and extend blade life. It comes in rolls wioth removable liners and stable acrylic adhesives.
- The tape was developed from other polyurethane protective tapes for helicopter blades which withstand 500 mph rotational speeds.

Gotta protect 'em. Don't wanna hafta be pullin' 'em down and puttin' 'em back up all the time. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Gene Bergh, senior technical service specialist: “Greater longevity of the blade translates into money and time saved in maintenance. Our Wind Tapes can also help improve efficiency by ensuring the airflow over the blade is smooth…We’ve seen over the last 40 years of use that helicopter blades can last up to ten times longer with the use of our leading edge protective tape…It made sense to apply the same theory and technology to protect turbine blades that move at slower speeds, but encounter some of the same damaging effects.”