Thermo-chemical modeling and simulation of glass/elium® acrylic thermoplastic resin composites

Abstract

Abstract. The recyclability limitations of wind blades significantly reduce their environmental benefit as a green energy source. Therefore, the use of new and sustainable materials is crucial. The Zero wastE Blade ReseArch project (ZEBRA), led by the French technical research center IRT Jules Verne, is looking to accelerate the industry transition to circular economy by designing and manufacturing the first 100% recyclable wind blades using the thermoplastic resin Elium®, developed by Arkema, with a consortium regrouping: LM Wind Power, Arkema, CANOE, Owens Corning, ENGIE and Suez. In this work, the polymerization kinetics of the reactive thermoplastic resin Elium® was characterized through isothermal and dynamic Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) tests. The experimental curves are fitted to two different models from the literature; then the model parameters are identified and used as input to simulations. One model is selected and evaluated using a PAM-RTM© simulation for pure resin and the infusion of Owens Corning glass/Elium® composites [1]. The numerical results are compared with experimental data collected from Vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) tests with the help of a robust monitoring system [2]. Then the model is used to predict the flow and polymerization behavior for thick and more complex parts.