February 2021 Composites Blog
February 1, 2021
Microwave NDT Inspection Techniques for Wind Turbine Blades
Microwave NDT techniques are a great solution for wind turbine blade inspections
Microwave nondestructive testing (NDT) allows inspection of opaque and solid materials using electromagnetic energy in the microwave frequency range (300 MHz to 300 GHz). The NDT device emits an electromagnetic beam onto and through the material being tested. The signals reflected from the material under test are then captured and displayed visually for evaluation. Microwave NDT can be used to inspect high density polyethylene (HDPE) butt fusion and electrofusion as well as fiberglass, ceramic, and other composite materials and applications.
Currently, research is focused on developing microwave NDT techniques for inspecting composite wind turbine blades, which may be 350 feet above the ground making inspection difficult. These large blades can have manufacturing defects, damage from impacts, and weaknesses from use over time that can lead to blade failure. Microwave NDT has an advantage over ultrasound for testing fiberglass parts because it does not need to be in close contact with the material under test, meaning it could be deployed on drones to inspect wind turbine blades.
You can read more about the research being done into microwave NDT in this article co-written by BHC consultant, Bob Stakenborghs. You can also watch Bob demonstrate microwave NDT in a video here.
Currently, research is focused on developing microwave NDT techniques for inspecting composite wind turbine blades, which may be 350 feet above the ground making inspection difficult. These large blades can have manufacturing defects, damage from impacts, and weaknesses from use over time that can lead to blade failure. Microwave NDT has an advantage over ultrasound for testing fiberglass parts because it does not need to be in close contact with the material under test, meaning it could be deployed on drones to inspect wind turbine blades.
You can read more about the research being done into microwave NDT in this article co-written by BHC consultant, Bob Stakenborghs. You can also watch Bob demonstrate microwave NDT in a video here.
February 5, 2021
Cimarron Composites Acquired by Hanwha Solutions
Cimarron Composites Acquired by Hanwha Solutions
South Korea-based Hanwah Solutions announced plans to acquire Cimarron Composites
South Korea based Hanwha Solutions recently announced a deal to acquire Cimarron Composites. The deal, if approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, will give Hanwha the technology to manufacture tanks for hydrogen tube trailers as well as other vessels used in the green hydrogen industry and aerospace applications. Hanwha plans to invest $100 million in Cimarron by 2025 with the goal of becoming the global leader for composite high pressure tanks by 2030. Read more about the acquisition here.
