Shanghai, China - September 2, 2014 - At the China Composites Expo, BASF will showcase lightweight utility poles made of polyurethane (PU), and demonstrate its broad competence in composite technologies including filament winding and other innovative solutions.
Utility poles made with BASF’s polyurethane system Elastolit? proved their superior wind resistance during the recent typhoon Rammasun in Guangdong province, where more than 80,000 concrete and metal utility poles were destroyed but PU utility poles were unaffected.
“The utility poles made with BASF’s polyurethane system Elastolit? not only possess outstanding wind resistance, but are extremely lightweight. This translates to significant cost and time savings as they are more durable, and can be carried and set up manually,” said Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.
Made with BASF’s polyurethane system Elastolit? customers can manufacture utility poles based on filament winding technology which are at least 2.5 times more wind-resistant than the commonly used concrete utility poles for medium voltage. This is attributable to the superior physical properties of Elastolit?, which includes a bending strength that is at least 2.5 times higher than concrete poles.
Additionally, such utility poles are easy to install and are ideal for use on hillsides and mountains, where usually helicopters or heavy equipment have to be deployed to install the poles. Weighing only about 250kg each, the poles can be carried and set up manually, making it possible to install poles spaced up to 120 meters apart even in rough terrain. Concrete poles, which weigh approximately 1,100kg, require heavy machinery or even helicopters to install poles every 50 meters.
Using polyurethane for filament winding processes has been proven as ideal resin material. Filament winding is a process to create circular composite products with a hollow core by winding fiber material and resin such as polyurethane around a mandrel mold. It is an extremely efficient process to create low cost, lightweight and strong composite materials.
In addition to the utility pole exhibit at the expo, BASF will also showcase polyurethane-based soil anchors made of Elastocoat? to stabilize steep slopes and prevent landslides.
Another highlight of the show will be BASF’s range of solutions for the wind industry encompassing with Baxxodur? epoxy resin systems and Kerdyn? PET (polyethylene terephthalate) structural foams, which address the trend toward larger parts and comprises a variety of production processes. The Baxxodur? system offerings for composites are based on BASF’s comprehensive portfolio of amine-based curing agents that are unmatched in the industry. Kerdyn? PET (polyethylene terephthalate) structural foam unites good mechanical properties with wide process compatibility and add thanks to high temperature and chemical resistance stability to the rotor blade. Since Kerdyn? is part of the portfolio for the production of high-performance blades it is certified by German Lloyd and available in sheet or block form in densities of 100 and 115 kilograms per cubic meter with wide-ranging design potential in densities between 80 to 180 kg/m? as well as mechanical properties
To securely attach the root of the rotor blade to the hub of the wind turbine, a fiber-reinforced component made from Elastocoat? C polyurethane via pultrusion is in use. Elastocoat C as matrix resin used by FIBERLINE A/S provides high productivity and high inter laminar shear strength. Pultrusion allows better orientation of the fibers as well as in-line incorporation of a threaded metal bushing. This ensures consistently high production quality and an extremely stable part.
Pultruded parts for window profiles based on Elastocoat? highlight how different industries can benefit from pultrusion technology.
Other composite solutions displayed on the booth will cover the topic of lightweight for automotive applications such as the recently introduced Ultracom? system based on laminates or tapes, overmolding materials and various engineering services, as well as the self-supporting rear seat pan for the BMW i3 using Elastolit? polyurethane system in combination with carbon fibers for the first time in a serial production vehicle.
About BASF’s Performance Materials Division
BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors - transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods - the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to come up with innovative products and applications. In 2013, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of € 6.5 bn.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
