PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) has announced the qualification of HYBON(R) 2026 direct roving fiber glass for use in selected fabrics and epoxy resin systems of aerodynBlade 1.5-, 2.0- and 2.5-megawatt wind turbine blades by aerodyn, a leading independent engineering firm that develops wind energy turbines and blades.
HYBON 2026 fiber glass is a high-performance roving produced at five PPG fiber glass manufacturing locations - three in the United States; one in Wigan, England, U.K.; and one in Zibo, Shandong Province, China, that is a joint venture of PPG and Sinoma Jinjing Fiber Glass Co. Ltd. According to Cheryl Richards, PPG global market manager, wind energy, this roving offers wind turbine blade producers the high mechanical performance required for critical structural designs and provides advantages in blade processing.
"This qualification by aerodyn verifies that HYBON 2026 fiber glass is a leading industry performer that meets or exceeds the wind industry's challenging requirements," Richards said. "With excellent adhesion in multiple resin systems, high tensile strength and fatigue performance that satisfies demanding wind blade applications, HYBON 2026 fiber glass provides multiaxial fabricators with the quality and features they need for this industry. PPG is proud to earn this product approval, and we will continue to leverage more than 60 years of fiber glass engineering and manufacturing expertise to support the growing global wind energy industry."
A leading global manufacturer of coatings and fiber glass, PPG makes and supports a specialized portfolio of advanced products engineered to make wind-energy turbine blades and towers stronger, lighter and more efficient. High-performance PPG coatings offer adhesion properties for extreme operating environments and are available in a range of water-based liquid, high-solids and low-volatile organic compound technologies. PPG fiber glass products for turbine blades help to improve fatigue performance by enhancing the resin bond.