BASF Rolls Out New Raincoat for Blades

BASF’s newly launched RELEST^® Wind LEP S, a new coating solution for rotor blades, has passed an external 50-hour rain erosion test.

The stress loads to which rotor blades are exposed during the operation are enormous: at top speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour at the blade tips, gigantic forces act upon the blades, and weather influences such as rain, snow, hail, sand, heat and UV radiation wear out the blades and lead to more frequent repair and maintenance intervals, BASF explained.

The system – consisting of a gel coat, a filler, an edge protection and a topcoat – is based entirely on solvent-free, two-component polyurethane compounds, thus complying with present VOC directives.

The recent test showed that with a speed of up to 160 m/s (approx. 570 km/h), the rain did not cause any significant damage on the coating.

The material is solvent-free as well as durable and UV stable, BASF pointed out.

The company further added that RELEST^® Wind LEP S, which can be easily applied directly on the rotor blade, improves the efficiency of the wind turbine operation by providing an effective erosion protection, thus reducing potential maintenance costs, the company explained.