3M Wind Tape Protects Turbine Blades

October 17th, 2008 by Ariel Schwartz

The 3M name is already synonymous with tape, so it isn’t that surprising to hear that the company quietly introduced Wind Tape to the market in mid-2007. The tape, which is designed to protect the leading edges of 120-foot fiberglass turbines, costs $288 per 54-foot roll.

Many turbine blades start to erode after a year or two of use, so 3M’s polyurethane tape is an important addition to any wind turbine toolbox. The tape isn’t just a temporary fix for turbines— the company estimates that it could add seven to ten years to the life of a blade.

3M is also working on a number of other wind-energy products, including drag-reducing sharkskin-like skins for blades, and small glass microspheres to reduce blade weight.

Photo Credit: Global Windpower Services









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