Nanoengineered Graphene-Reinforced Coating for Leading Edge Protection of Wind Turbine Blades

Possibilities of the development of new anti-erosion coatings for wind turbine blade surface protection on the basis of nanoengineered polymers are explored. Coatings with graphene and hybrid nanoreinforcements are tested for their anti-erosion performance, using the single point impact fatigue testing (SPIFT) methodology. It is demonstrated that graphene and hybrid (graphene/silica) reinforced polymer coatings can provide better erosion protection with lifetimes up to 13 times longer than non-reinforced polyurethanes. Thermal effects and energy dissipation during the repeated soft impacts on the blade surface are discussed.