BASF's Baxxodur® products are used, in particular, in the production of composite rotor blades for wind turbines (see Curing agents improve rotor production). The laboratory expands BASF’s capability to study the production of components made from fibre reinforced epoxy resins under real-life conditions. Large-scale heating tables, infusion and injection units are now available to simulate a variety of processing conditions at customer facilities.
The new laboratory offers a range of facilities for determining product-specific parameters for processing these systems. For example, a modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) device is available to determine the cross-link density and the glass transition temperature of the systems, and an oscillating rheometer allows engineers to appraise the processing and flow behaviour the epoxy systems will show in the production of composites.
The test specimens the laboratory makes from the epoxy resin systems can be subjected to additional testing in other BASF facilities in Ludwigshafen. These facilities have been approved by Germanischer Lloyd AG (GL), one of the world’s leading certification bodies for wind energy plants. BASF will use the new lab and its testing facilities to expand its service offering in this business area. Based on the data generated in these facilities, the company’s engineers will provide on-site support for customers during the introduction of epoxy systems and the ongoing production process.
