Articles | Volume 11, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-3803-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-3803-2026
Research article
 | 
09 Oct 2026
Research article |  | 09 Oct 2026

Fatigue crack growth in elastomers for leading-edge erosion protection of wind turbine blades

Jakob Ilsted Bech and Jamie Engelhardt Simon

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Cited articles

Adler, W. F. and Mihora, D. J.: Analysis of polyurethane advanced rotor blade erosion protection system, Kaman Aerospace Corporation, Bloomfield, CT, Appendix E, https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA314355.pdf (last access: 19 December 2024), 1996. a
Amirafshari, P., Brennan, F., and Kolios, A.: A fracture mechanics framework for optimising design and inspection of offshore wind turbine support structures against fatigue failure, Wind Energ. Sci., 6, 677–699, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-6-677-2021, 2021. a
Amirzadeh, B., Louhghalam, A., Raessi, M., and Tootkaboni, M.: A computational framework for the analysis of rain-induced erosion in wind turbine blades, part II, Elsevier, 163, 44–54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2016.12.007, 2017. a
Bai, L., Qv, P., and Zheng, J.: Colorless, transparent, and healable silicone elastomers by introducing Zn (II) – carboxylate interactions via aza-Michael reaction, J. Mater. Sci, 55, 14045–14057, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-04997-6, 2020. a
Bech, J. I., Hasager, C. B., and Bak, C.: Extending the life of wind turbine blade leading edges by reducing the tip speed during extreme precipitation events, Wind Energ. Sci., 3, 729–748, https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-3-729-2018, 2018. a, b, c
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Short summary
Rain erosion of wind turbine blades degrades power production and causes high repair costs. During erosion the surface material disintegrates due to fatigue cracking. Experimental fracture mechanics are applied to quantify the properties governing fatigue cracking. This approach offers a paradigm shift to assessment of blade erosion and facilitates a systematic development of future protective materials needed to eliminate the costs and uncertainties related to blade erosion.
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