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GFSI & WSU make composite with fibreglass from wind blades

05 May '15
2 min read

Global Fiberglass Solutions Inc. (GFSI) and Washington State University (WSU) have successfully manufactured a variety of composite products with fibreglass material taken from decommissioned wind blades.

Prior to installation, the 173-foot long wind turbine blades were damaged in a storm and harvested by GFSI from Portland General Electric’s Tucannon River Wind Farm in Eastern Washington. The WSU Composite Materials and Engineering Center processed small sections of the wind blade and blended the fibres with a new composition of resins and other materials developed by GFSI, according to a company statement.

Testing conducted for the manufactured products showed overall superior mechanical and physical properties, compared to many current wood composites. According to WSU associate professor Dr. Karl Englund, the resulting base composite material, Ecopolycrete, is suitable for a whole range of green manufacturing applications and products expected to have a significant impact on reducing the practice of landfilling fibreglass scrap from wind turbine blades and other sources.

According to GFSI CEO Don Lilly, the company now has a patented process in place that in combination with innovative machinery can take fibreglass and carbon fibre from efficient shredding and grinding to manufacturing commercially ready high-grade products.

Both GFSI and WSU plan to continue their collaborative work to develop new applications for recycled FRP and CFRP.

As a fibreglass recycling, material science, and green manufacturing company, Global Fiberglass Solutions’ primary business goal is the development and production of high quality, non-polluting infrastructure products from recycled fiberglass and carbon fibre. (GK)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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