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Fabrication of High-Strength Waste-Wind-Turbine-Blade-Powder-Reinforced Polypropylene Composite via Solid-State Stretching

Author

Listed:
  • Bo Tan

    (College of Intelligent Networking and New Energy Automobile, Geely University of China, Chengdu 641423, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xiaotong Wang

    (School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhilong Pu

    (State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Shuangqiao Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
    Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Min Nie

    (State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

Abstract

In recent years, wind energy has emerged as one of the fastest-growing green technologies globally, with projections indicating that decommissioned wind turbine blades (WTBs) will accumulate to millions of tons by the 2030s. Due to their thermosetting nature and high glass/carbon fiber content, the efficient recycling of WTBs remains a challenge. In this study, we utilized solid-state shear milling (S3M) to produce a fine WTB powder, which then underwent surface modification with a silane coupling agent (KH550), and we subsequently fabricated WTB-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with enhanced mechanical performance through solid-state stretching. The stretching-process-induced orientation of the PP molecular chains and glass fibers led to orientation-induced crystallization of PP and significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the PP/WTB@550 composites. With 30 wt. % WTB content, the PP/WTB@550 composite achieved a tensile strength of 142.61 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 3991.19 MPa at a solid-state stretching temperature of 110 °C and a stretching ratio of 3, representing increases of 268% and 471%, respectively, compared to the unstretched sample. This work offers both theoretical insights and experimental evidence supporting the high-value recycling and reuse of WTBs through a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable approach. Due to the enhanced mechanical properties of the PP/WTB composite and the intrinsic waterproofing and corrosion resistance of PP, it is hoped that such a composite would be used in road engineering and building materials, such as geogrids, wall panels, floor boards, and floor tiles.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Tan & Xiaotong Wang & Zhilong Pu & Shuangqiao Yang & Min Nie, 2025. "Fabrication of High-Strength Waste-Wind-Turbine-Blade-Powder-Reinforced Polypropylene Composite via Solid-State Stretching," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:840-:d:1572750
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mumtaz, Hamza & Sobek, Szymon & Sajdak, Marcin & Muzyka, Roksana & Werle, Sebastian, 2023. "An experimental investigation and process optimization of the oxidative liquefaction process as the recycling method of the end-of-life wind turbine blades," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 269-278.
    2. Mumtaz, Hamza & Sobek, Szymon & Sajdak, Marcin & Muzyka, Roksana & Drewniak, Sabina & Werle, Sebastian, 2023. "Oxidative liquefaction as an alternative method of recycling and the pyrolysis kinetics of wind turbine blades," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    3. Alexander Ahrens & Andreas Bonde & Hongwei Sun & Nina Kølln Wittig & Hans Christian D. Hammershøj & Gabriel Martins Ferreira Batista & Andreas Sommerfeldt & Simon Frølich & Henrik Birkedal & Troels Sk, 2023. "Catalytic disconnection of C–O bonds in epoxy resins and composites," Nature, Nature, vol. 617(7962), pages 730-737, May.
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