Droplet erosion protection coatings for offshore wind turbine blades

Droplet erosion protection coatings has been proposed, tested and compared with industrial solutions. All of the proposed coatings are based on a PU matrix, which is shown to provide good damping effects and good erosion resistant properties. Two of the coating was reinforced with particles to investigate if this would improve the erosion resistance in the coating. A own built test-rig, capable of proceeding experiments corresponding to extensive testing carried out in huge laboratories by the industry, has been completed. The weighing after erosion testing clearly revealed significant differences in the erosion resistance. All coatings, except one, showed clear sign of material loss just after short test duration. The industrial coating showed sign of failure even more often and earlier than all the purposed coatings. The proposal that handled the exposure best, did not show any sign of damage, even after three times the test duration. This was a clear indication of the difference in erosion resistance where the industrial solution handled the exposure worst. One of the proposals showed such good results that it is further discussed as a potential world leading surface treatment for wind turbine blade tips.